Name: The Beggar's Opera
Start: 2018-09-27T00:00:00.000Z
End: 2019-02-06T00:00:00.000Z
Location: Grand Théâtre

Organization

Conductor

William Christie

Stage director

Robert Carsen

Set designer

James Brandily

Costume designer

Petra Reinhardt

Choreographer

Rebecca Howell

Lighting designer

Peter van Praet

Dramaturge

Ian Burton

Singer

Robert Burt

Mr. Peachum

Beverley Klein

Diana Trapes

Mrs. Peachum

Kate Batter

Polly Peachum

Benjamin Purkiss

Macheath

Kraig Thornber

Lockit

Olivia Brereton

Lucy Lockit

Lyndsey Gardiner

Jenny Diver

Sean Lopeman

Filch

Manuel

Gavin Wilkinson

Matt of the Mint

Taite-Elliot Drew

Crook-Finger’d Jack

Wayne Fitzsimmons

Robin of Bagshot

Dominic Owen

Harry Padington

Natasha Leaver

Molly Brazen

Emily Dunn

Betty Doxy

Louise Dalton

Sukey Tawdrey

Jocelyn Prah

Dolly Trull

Théâtre des Bouffes du Nord

Others

Les Arts Florissants

The Beggar's Opera

La Rochelle

France

La Coursive

Massy

Opéra

Reims

Opéra de Reims

Quimper

Théâtre de Cornouaille

Rennes

Opéra de Rennes

Versailles

Opéra Royal

Caen

Théâtre de Caen

Nantes

Théâtre Graslin

Laval

Le Théâtre

La Roche-sur-Yon

Le Grand R

Le Mans

Les Quinconces

Saint-Nazaire

Vannes

Théâtre Anne de Bretagne

Dinan

Théâtre des Jacobins

Saint-Brieuc

La Passerelle

Angers

Grand Théâtre

Athens

Greece

Novara

Italy

Teatro Coccia

Pisa

Clermont-Ferrand

Opéra-Théâtre

Geneva

Switzerland

Grand-Théâtre

Luxembourg

Paris

Written by John Gay in 1728, The Beggar’s Opera is widely considered to be the first musical comedy and one that pre-empted by about 300 years the current vogue for « jukebox » productions, which create a plot to fit around hit songs. Gay took some of the best-known tunes of his day, both classical and popular, and worked them into a savagely satirical tale set amongst London’s thieves, pimps and prostitutes. Wildly popular from its first performance in 1728, it has been the basis for numerous stage, musical and cinematic adaptations ever since. It explores a cynical world where capitalist greed, crime and social inequality are the norm. All politicians and officials are, by definition, corrupt, and there is nothing to do but join in if you want to get ahead. Sounds familiar? Indeed nothing much has changed since the work had its premiere, and the themes of The Beggar’s Opera are those which continue to obsess modern television and cinema. In this production, we hope to try and match the transgressive mood and restless energy of the original. As Gay with razor-sharp observation has one of his characters say at the beginning of Act III: Lions, wolves and vultures don’t live together in herds, droves or flocks. Of all animals of prey, man is the only sociable one. Every one of us preys upon his neighbour, and yet we herd together. – Robert Carsen

Production booklet

Further reading