STORTH Entertainers started their 25th anniversary year with a well-directed, well-acted performance of Alan Ayckbourn's A Chorus of Disapproval.

This is not an easy play to set, light, direct or perform, but the cast and back stage staff, under the experienced and innovative hands of Mike Cooper, gave performances of which each and every one should be proud.

The play opens with the finale of The Beggars Opera, performed by the Pendon Light Operatic Society.

David Neve, as Dafydd ap Llewellyn, the eccentric producer, gave an immaculate performance.

He maintained an impeccable Welsh accent throughout, and his comedy timing was first class.

Indeed, one of the excellent features of this production was the timing from all the cast.

Robert Robinson displayed stagecraft and characterisation skills well beyond his years and experience in the lead part of Guy Jones, the guy who can't say 'no' to anything!

We saw some delightful cameo studies from Susan Gardner as Dafydd's downtrodden, harassed little wife who seeks solace from Guy and matures in the process, and Sheila Lowe, who as Fay Hubbard introduces our hero to the wife-swapping scene in Pendon.

Sheila again showed with her stage presence and timing that she is in a class of her own.

Alan Gardner, The Entertainers' own musical director, fitted naturally into the part of Mr Ames, MD for The Beggars Opera, and three of the Society's younger members, Katherine Gardner as Linda Washbrook, Ted and Enid's petulant daughter; Steven Henneberry as the local 'bit of rough'; Crispin, and Vicky Smith, stage manager for The Opera, all discharged their parts with enthusiasm and skill, which augers well for the future.

This was theatre in the round at its best.