Lauren Samuels and George Maguire to star in The Buskers Opera

Casting has been announced for the world premiere of The Buskers Opera, a new musical by Dougal Irvine.

The production, will open at the Park Theatre in April, is inspired by John Gay's classic opera The Beggar's Opera and is set in London in 2012 as a group of street performers gather in protest against the over-priced, corporate games.

Olivier Award-winning actor George Maguire (Sunny Afternoon) will take the role of Macheath with Bend It Like Beckham star Lauren Samuels as Polly Peachum.

The cast will be completed by Natasha Cottriall as Lucy Lockitt, John McCrea as Filtch, Maimuna Memonas as Jenny Diver/Dissenter/Beggar, Giovanna Ryan as Susan/Beggar/Dissenter and Ishmael Gander as Matt/Dissenter/Beggar.

Directed by Lotte Wakeham, elements of the piece have been workshopped with Cardboard Citizens, a theatre company working with people who have experienced homelessness or are at risk of homelessness.

The Buskers Opera will run at Park Theatre from 28 April to 4 June.