The Beggar's Opera by John Gay (English) Paperback Book

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Often called the first ever musical despite its grim reality, The Beggar's Opera is a comedy; a period romp that comments with brilliant satire on both society and politics. The populace and critics of the time understood, the then Prime Minister of England, Sir Robert Walpole, to be the subject of many of the scenes.

FORMATPaperback LANGUAGEEnglish CONDITIONBrand New Publisher Description

Drama Classics: The World's Great Plays at a Great Little PriceJohn Gay's bawdy and burlesque pastiche of classical Italian opera, often regarded as the world's first ever musical.Peachum the thief-catcher is horrified when he discovers his beloved daughter Polly has married Macheath the highwayman; he and his wife plot Macheath's death in the knowledge that they would be entitled to their daughter's inheritance once he was out of the way. But Lockit the prison warden is also after the highwayman's treasures, and daughter Lucy his crown jewels...The Beggar's Opera was premiered at the Lincoln's Inn Fields Theatre, London, in January 1728.This edition of The Beggar's Opera is edited and introduced by Colin Counsell

Author Biography

John Gay (1685-1732) was a poet and dramatist and member of the Scriblerus Club. He is best remembered for The Beggar's Opera (1728), his ballad-opera set in London's criminal underworld while satirising contemporary politics and politicians.

Long Description

BEGGAR. If Poverty be a Title to Poetry, I am sure no-body can dispute mine. I own myself of the Company of Beggars; and I make one at their Weekly Festivals at St. Giles's. I have a small Yearly Salary for my Catches, and am welcome to a Dinner there whenever I please, which is more than most Poets can say. PLAYER. As we live by the Muses, it is but Gratitude in us to encourage Poetical Merit wherever we find it. The Muses, contrary to all other Ladies, pay no Distinction to Dress, and never partially mistake the Pertness of Embroidery for Wit, nor the Modesty of Want for Dulness. Be the Author who he will, we push his Play as far as it will go. So (though you are in Want) I wish you success heartily.

Details ISBN1854599143 Author John Gay Short Title BEGGARS OPERA Publisher Nick Hern Books Language English ISBN-10 1854599143 ISBN-13 9781854599148 Media Book Format Paperback Imprint Nick Hern Books Place of Publication London Country of Publication United Kingdom DEWEY 822.5 Edition New edition DOI 10.1604/9781854599148 Edited by Counsell, Colin AU Release Date 2006-06-01 NZ Release Date 2006-06-01 UK Release Date 2006-06-01 Illustrator Lizzie Harper Birth 19730620 Death 1976 Affiliation Bond University Position Associate Director Qualifications Ph.D. Pages 128 Series Drama Classics Year 2006 Publication Date 2006-06-01 Audience A / AS level We've got this

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