Reader Reviews
The Beggar's Opera (Open Air Theatre, West End)
Back to Show Details| Score | Comment | Date |
 | Under Timothy Sheader the Open Air Theatre has featured some amazing stage designs. Although William Dudley's set for The Beggar's Opera is relatively conventional he and director / partner Lucy Bailey have come up with a rabble rousing production that would have been ideal for the Globe, but with miked sound for better audibility. I'm not sure if the now overly familiar play within a play concept is theirs or from John Gay's original, but this rather strange piece charges along at a frantic pace like a Hogarth painting brought to life. There is a remarkably bawdy alehouse scene with one of the whores treating us to a Ruthie Henshall flash, and a startlingly realistic cat fight courtesy of Terry King. The cast attack their roles with relish, notably Jasper Britton, Beverley Rudd, Phil Daniels enjoying a spell of park life and the magnificently monickered Janet Fullerlove who sounds like a character from a Restoration comedy. Flora Spencer-Longhurst is an exquisitely beautiful Polly Peachum with a lovely light soprano, but her cockney accent suggests that won't be hearing from the casting director of EastEnders. The Beggar's Opera might be shallower than the Regent's Park lake but it is a wonderfully entertaining way to spend a summer afternoon. - David Baxter | 15 Jul 11 |
| "The script" as you call it, KC was a pretty faithful version of the original, as were the "ditties" which were not repetitive because there are about 69 of them which is too many to allow for repeats. I thought it was a superb production, done with style and gusto. Highly recommended. - Jack Cade | 07 Jul 11 |
| An hilarious romp with the 18th century underclass; superbly performed and directed. - John Webber | 05 Jul 11 |
| John Gay has a lot to answer for. In satirising 18th century opera, he invented the musical as we know it today (and even jukebox musicals, as his was a compilation of popular songs of the day) and it’s content was so controversial, it resulted in the introduction of theatrical censorship which continued for 240 years until just 43 years ago. He also made more money that a lot of contemporary musicals – the equivalent of £1m! Lucy Bailey’s production for the Open Air Theatre is much darker and bawdier than any I’ve seen before, and somehow feels much more authentic. It’s another show (after Into the Woods and Lord of the Flies) that’s perfect for the venue too. Bill Dudley has created a superb death & torture location with gallows and stocks, brilliant period costumes and a Hogarthian front cloth to take you to the London of the early eighteenth century. Macheath is a highwayman and womanizer, target of thief catcher Peachum and jailer Lockit, both of whose daughters he has bedded and proposed to (and in Lucy Lockit’s case impregnated). Along the road to his capture we seem to spend most of our time in bars and brothels with a surfeit of thieving, drinking, fighting and fornication. It’s a bit shocking today, so I dread to think what they thought of it 283 years ago! It’s a great ensemble, expanded to 26 with the addition of students from E 15 Acting School with stand out performances from Jasper Britton and Janet Fullerlove as the Peachums, Oliver Hoare as their servant Filch and Beverly Rudd as both Lucy Lockit and Dolly Trull. They’ve cast singing actors rather than singers, which I think is right for the piece but doesn’t make for the best vocals. The playing of six piece ensemble The City Waites though is first class. The choreography and fight direction of Maxine Doyle and Terry King is outstanding; you often went ‘ouch’ as you could virtually feel the punches and falls. Another great night at the Open Air on another great night. Next stop Gershwin’s Crazy for You in a month’s time. - Gareth James | 05 Jul 11 |
| I haven't walked out of a production at the end of Act I in a long long time, but this production managed to persuade me - and for the record I had plenty of company - a lot of people were doing it. I can't fault the actors, but the script and the inane, repetetive 'ditties' were too much. My life is too short to sit through drivel like this. - KC | 05 Jul 11 |
| Performed to perfection. An enjoyable evening - catch it while you can. - Chris | 01 Jul 11 |
