See Beggar’s Opera
1.
The producers are calling it “a revolutionary new take” on the centuries- old tale. In Seven Tyrants’ production, David Newham chops the three- act musical into 10 distinct parts being described as “live theatrical music videos,” with live tweeting. OK, maybe not the live tweeting.
2.
It may be almost 300 years old, but in some aspects the original production of Beggar’s Opera was recognizably modern. For one thing, it spawned an instant celebrity in Lavinia Fenton, who played the original Polly Peachum. For another, audiences were so enamoured of the production they demanded mementoes, thus presaging a world of Cats T- shirts and Phantom of the Opera coffee mugs.
3.
Yes, this is the same opera as, sort of, Weill and Brecht’s The Threepenny Opera, which gave the world Mack the Knife. But this production features an original musical score by Daniel Deorksen and is performed live by the composer and the cast of 15. For the score, Deorksen — who also plays in the Frank Zappa influenced Vancouver indie- rock band Two Apple Tobacco — draws on a range of musical influences, ranging from classic jazz to Tom Waits and Zappa. Bonus: in the press release, the musical influence of the Muppets is boldly mention ed.
4.
Some performers who have appeared in past productions of Beggar’s Opera include Bob Hoskins, Laurence Olivier and the Who’s Roger Daltrey. This one doesn’t feature any names quite that august, but it does star Nick Fontaine of Arts Club perennial The Buddy Holly Story and Tallulah Winkelman, who appeared in Seven Tyrants’ production of A Good Woman of Setzuan.
5.
Don’t like opera? Then Beggar’s Opera is the nonopera for you. John Gay wrote it in response to the vogue for Italian opera, which was sweeping through London’s upper crust at the time ( circa 1728). It’s also a satire of corruption on all levels of society. And with a provincial election coming up, what better time for a political satire?
Beggar’s Opera
April 18- May 5 | Performance Works
Tickets: from $ 29 at TicketsTonight