Adapted by David Turner from John Gay’s play. Music arranged by Roy Darby
SYNOPSIS AND CAST
Peachum, a purveyor of stolen goods, and his rapacious wife, are horrified to find that their only child, Polly, has fallen in love with, and worse still married, Captain Macheath, the famous highwayman. Peachum cannot bear the thought that Macheath should get control of Polly’s money and become the heir to his own fortune, so he plots to have Macheath captured and hanged. Act One ends with Macheath emerging from his hiding place (in Polly’s bed) and the lovers swearing eternal fidelity to each other as Macheath flies to safety.
But Macheath is eventually arrested and imprisoned by the corrupt jailer, Lockit, whose daughter Lucy turns out to be another of Macheath’s lovers, now heavily pregnant with his child. Polly’s prison visit to her husband causes an embarrassing and ludicrous collision between the two women who fight viciously for Macheath’s affections. Polly is dragged away by her father and Lucy helps Macheath escape. Act Two closes with both women grieving for their departed man.
Act Three sees Macheath re-arrested and as the story enters into ever more dark and political territory, Gay uses Macheath’s plight to talk about injustice and poverty wherever and whenever it occurs. After a heartbreaking trio as Macheath and his two wives and then a few more – bid farewell, Macheath is hanged.
There follows a stunning and hilarious coup-de-théâtre, as the public objects to the tragic turn of events. Macheath’s hanging is ‘reversed’.
Director & Set Designer: Stuart Barker
Musical Director: David Cresswell
Choreographer: Marilyn McPherson
CAST
|
Macheath |
Martin Proctor |
|
Polly Peachum |
Mary Tighe |
|
Peachum |
Denzil Edwards |
|
Mrs Peacham |
Kate Albert |
|
Lucy Lockit |
Jenny Morgan |
|
Lockit |
Robin Clifford |
|
Mrs Trapes |
Dianne Norton |
|
Filch |
Darren Betts |
|
Matt of the Mint |
Chris Flint |
|
Crook-Findered Jack |
Paul Sadler |
|
Jemmy Twitcher |
Brian Card |
|
Wat Dreary |
Hamish Norbrook |
|
Robin of Bagshot |
Ray Vamplew |
|
Nimming Ned |
Peter Bagwell |
|
Harry Paddington |
Neil Catton |
|
Jenny Driver |
Janet Huckle |
|
Suky Tawdry |
Jane Catton |
|
Dolly Trull |
Gill Birchall |
|
Molly Brazen |
Clare Abley |
|
Mrs Coaxer |
Anne Loveder |
|
Mrs Vixen |
Nina Sutherland |
|
Mrs Slammekin |
Cindy Elson |
|
Betty Doxy |
Margaret Etches |
|
WHORES |
|
|
Dawn Barrow |
Claire Hargadon |
|
Anne Kidson |
Eve Manghani |
|
Dominique Norbrook |
Virginia Plumpton |
|
Penny Stone |
Marion Stewart |
|
DANCING WHORES |
|
|
Gloria Aguado |
Ruth Howard |
|
Marilyn McPherson |
|
|
|
|
|
Innkeeper, Officer |
Paul Aylin |
|
Judge, Officer |
Richard Vaughan |
|
The Busker |
David Cresswell |