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The Beggar's Opera is a ballad opera written in 1728 by John Gay with music arranged by Johann Christoph Pepusch. The piece satirises Italian Opera, which had become popular in London, by telling a story of beggars, highwaymen and "women of the town" rather than the classical or mythological figures of grand opera. The Airs in the opera were set to popular street ballads, hymns, folk songs of the time and some tunes from operas by Handel and others.

The Beggar's Opera ran for 62 performances, a record for any play in England in the 18th century. It was revived in 1920 and enjoyed further popularity leading to it being used by Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill as the basis for their Die Dreigroschenoper.

(Summary by Alan Mapstone)

Cast List

Beggar: ToddHW Player: Chuck Lavazzi Mr Peacham: Beeswaxcandle Mrs Peacham: Leanne Cvetan Polly Peacham: valroth MacHeath: Greg Giordano Filch: Nigel Kerr Lockit: Tomas Peter Lucy Lockit: Sonia Diana Trapes: Lynette Caulkins MacHeath's Gang: Matt of the Mint: Chuck Lavazzi Ben Budge: Chuck Williamson Jemmy Twitcher: Ehsan Ahmed Mehedi Crook Finger'd Jack: redrun Wat Dreary: Alan Mapstone Robin of Bagshot: Elijah Fisher Harry Paddington: Larry Wilson Nimming Ned: Alan Mapstone Women of the Town: Mrs Coaxer: Jenn Broda Dolly Trull: Inkell Mrs Vixen: Agnes Robert Behr Jenny Diver: Kelly S Taylor Mrs Slammerkin: ToddHW Suky Tawdry: Newgatenovelist Molly Brazen: Cat Sadler Drawer: Chuck Lavazzi Servant: David Purdy Jailer: Inkell Stage Directions: Alan Mapstone