Cast members Ian Small (Peachum), Alex Holland (Macheath) and Tracy Bowen (Lucy Lockit)
The Beggar's Opera, York Opera's spring production at the Joseph Rowntree Theatre from Wednesday to Saturday, is not really an opera at all.
John Gay's political satire was more the forerunner of musicals or musical plays, being regarded as the first English ballad opera, a play interspersed with short songs.
Ian Small, who will play Mr Peachum, says: "The Beggar's Opera changed the course of British theatre history. Following its premiere in January 1728, it ran for an unprecedented 62 performances at the theatre in Lincoln's Inn Fields.
"Its success enabled the theatre's manager, John Rich, to build a new theatre in Covent Garden, and become one of the most influential managers of the 18th or any other century.
"The Beggar's Opera became the most performed play at theatres throughout the country. On the York circuit, for example, between 1766 and 1803, it was performed no fewer than 86 times."
What delighted the 18th-century audiences was the mixture of popular tunes of the day, including folk tunes and pieces by Handel and Purcell, and the way in which Gay used highwaymen, thieves, pickpockets, fences and prostitutes to mirror the shady dealings of the ruling classes.
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"The Beggar's Opera is both topical and timeless," says Ian. "Politicians enriching themselves at our expense? Corruption in both companies and government? Whistle-blowing? These are today's headlines, not just those of elegant Georgian London in 1728."
He compares the music to a patchwork quilt. "It's pieced together from scraps of material found lying around at the time. John Gay chose over 50 numbers, most of them taken from the books of popular tunes which had been published since the Restoration," says Ian.
The director, Clive Marshall, has taken part in The Beggar's Opera twice previously, once as the leading character, Macheath, and once as Mr Peachum. He also directed the piece for Huddersfield University in 1997. This time he will play the role of the Beggar too, while Macheath will be played by Alex Holland.
Other cast members include Claire Holdich as Polly, Tracy Bowen as Lucy Lockit, Pauline Chadwick as Mrs Peachum and Paul Richardson as Lockit. Musical direction is by Steve Griffiths, who plays the Player.
Tickets for the 7.30pm performances cost £10, from Richard Shouksmith on 01904 490303 or York Theatre Royal, 01904 623568.
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