The Beggar's Opera DVD Review:

This version of the Beggars Opera was adapted for television in 1983 and was directed by Jonathan Miller. When it was first performed in 1728, opera was of course one of the major forms of entertainment in Europe. With the likes of Mozart and Hadyn producing masterpieces, it was time to satirize and make fun of the phenomena, as the English do so well.
John Gay's parody of aristocracy, pomposity and class, turned opera on its head by making the main characters, unfavourable. Instead of princes and lords and princesses, in the mock opera we have beggars, thieves, lowlifes and prostitutes fighting to get one over on each other and displaying it as a virtue. The curmudgeon, Peachum takes what he wants and when in danger will report his hustlers to the law and in turn having links with the hunky highway man, Macheath is married to his daughter Polly Peachum but promised to another, Lucy Lockit who in turn wants to dispose of Polly, but it is Macheath that has to watch his back.

The stellar cast includes a vigourous Patricia Routledge as Mrs Peachum, a bright and handsome Roger Daltrey as Macheath and Bob Hoskins as the lowly beggar. The music used in the opera is that of the original instruments used 300 years ago and played in baroque style. It is always interesting to see an updated interpretation of a period piece as it emanates the society of the time while commenting on modern day society. Although this was originally released 20 years ago, as a television production, the underlying themes still resonate in our climate today.

Jonathan Miller is an acclaimed playwright and author and you know what territory you're in when watching one of his productions. As this is, it is an intriguing and funny update of a lower form of opera and works especially for lovers of theatre and stage productions.

Features

Biographies of the cast and crew including John Gay the writer, Jonathan Miller the director and Bob Hoskins, Patricia Routledge and Roger Daltrey.

Final Comment

This is a DVD that is for fans of opera but also for those who are interested in olde England, it's rules and rituals and the calumny of everyday people in the 18th Century. It is an exciting and rich story of people getting their own way and not caring how they go about it. On a personal note, I found it slightly contrived and stilted and not hugely enjoyable because of the way the songs were performed and set pieces wobbling. However the power of opera, modern or old should never be underestimated.



Catherine Emenike