OVERVIEW

• Playwright

  Frank McGuinness 

• Adapted / Translated From

  Bertolt Brecht Kurt Weill

• Author Notes

  A new version of Bertolt Brecht's and Kurt Weill's original, from a literal translation by Constance Hayes.

• Setting

  London in 1953.

• Synopsis

  Brecht's adaptation of John Gay's 'The Beggar's Opera' creates the atmosphere of London's criminal underworld. Mr Jonathan Peachum is the mastermind behind a deceitful beggar's ring. When his one adversary, Macheath, abducts and marries his only daughter Polly, Peachum launches an all-out war against Macheath and his gang of rogues.

• Play Type

  Adaptation/Translation
  

  Number Of Acts

  Full-Length

Cast size

• Male

  18

• Female

  10

• Total

  28

• Cast Notes

  Cast doubling is possible. The original production also included nine musicians. See original production for details.

Original Production

• Date of First Production

  09 July 1991

• Producer

  Produced by Gate Theatre

• Original Venue

  Gate Theatre/Amharclann an Gheata
  

Source Of Information

The information for this entry was taken from the original production programme and promotional flyer.