DescriptionKath Gill directs a huge cast in this popular ballad opera in three acts written by John Gay
The Beggar’s Opera, by John Gay, is a ballad opera. Ballad operas hit their height of popularity during the early 18th century, in England. The form is a combination of an opera and satirical play, and while it followed many of the conventions of opera, this style does not include a recitative. The Beggar’s Opera is one of the best examples of this style, with music inspired by and pulled from broadsheet ballads, church hymns, opera arias, and even folk songs. John Gay wrote The Beggar’s Opera in 1728 alongside Johann Christoph Pepusch, who arranged the music. Cast Beggar - Clive Lumbers Mrs. Peachum - Tish Marshal Polly Peachum - Libby Beck Ben Budge - Steve Stott Nimming Ned - John Trett Drawer - Geoff Brown Dolly Trull - Margot Connor Luckey Props - Tish Marshall Betty Doxy - Lou Jackson Suky Tawdry - Linden Porter Jailers - Andrew MacTavish and Mike Roscoe Lucy Lockit - Jane Steynour Mr. Peachum - Bob Connor Filch - Steve Stott MacHeath - Dave Bowden Mat of the Mint - Frank Brooks Jemmy Twitchen - Vic Berry Mrs. Coaxer - Tracy Perkins Mrs. Vixen - Jill Candell Jenny Diver - Eve Berry Mrs. Slammekin - Georgie Brooks Molly Brazen - Alison Edgley Lockit - Nigel Bacon Bucks Free Press Review by Archie Wilson The Beggars Opera is a send-up of the 18th century fashion for Italian Grand Opera and a satire on the then Prime Minister Sir Robert Walpole and his government. It takes a great number of popular songs of the time and changes the words to suit the tale of highwaymen, thieves and whores - mirroring the corrupt society of the time. The criminal fence and informer Peachum learns that his daughter Polly is in love with the notorious highwayman MacHeath and devises a plan to have him imprisoned. While in his prison cell, MacHeath is torn between Polly and the jailer's daughter Lucy, who promises to help him escape. Lane End Players handled this piece well, with Bob Connor as Mr Peachum and Libby Beck as Polly filling their roles to perfection. Operas performed by local groups are often let down by the quality of he singing. This was certainly not the case here, the quality was extremely high. The cameo performance of Nigel Bacon as Lockit the jailer was quite outstanding. |
Author
John Gay
Director
Kath Gill
Musical Director
Paul Beechy
VenueLane End Village Hall
Church Road Lane End Bucks HP14 3JE (see map below) |
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