Details

The Beggar's Opera was originally produced on 29 January 1728 by the Theatre Manager John Rich at Lincoln's Inn Fields Theatre and was the first musical show to mix dialogue with songs. A story of thieves and highwaymen, it was intended to mirror the moral degradation of society and, more particularly, to caricature the then Prime Minister Sir Robert Walpole. It ran for 62 performances, the longest run then known, and the success of the production enabled John Rich to build a new theatre in Covent Garden, the forerunner of the Royal Opera House. The Beggar's Opera was first heard of Covent Garden in 1732.

Cast/Performers

John Ashby, Diana Croft, Richard Emerson, Allison Harding, Dougal Lee, Paul Leonard, Nina Lucking, Anthony Hunt, Liz Marsh, Wendy Parkin, Phil Reed, Carol Sloman, Joe Young

Creatives/Company

Author: John Gay
Company: Queen's Hornchurch
Design: Rodney Ford
Lighting: Chris Jaeger
Sound: Whizz
Choreographer: Liz Marsh
Director: Carol Sloman (music)