BEGGAR'S OPERA till 24 October.

THE BEGGAR’S OPERA: New version created by Vanishing Point based on the play by John Gay.
Belgrade Theatre, Coventry: 9 - 24 October.
Runs: 1h 45m, no interval.
Review: Rod Dungate 13 October 2009.

Not enough verve to catch alight.
There are many good things in this version of John Gay’s well-known satire. Vanishing Point has created a kind of rock musical version - the story and characters are much the same, the text has been adapted to hurl the story into a future dystopia. Oddly, though, the whole doesn’t gel, it doesn’t move you, nor greatly engage you. Watching it you are able to admire its parts but aren’t drawn into its world.

I’ve been trying to put my finger on exactly why. Vanishing Point are credited with the version, and in a programme note they say: ‘At the centre of this co-production is the rich, exuberant, rollercoaster ride of The Beggar’s Opera.’ Somehow they have lost something - the spirit of exuberance and rollercoaster.

The music is good but, while strongly rhythmic, slow. The acting matches this pace and becomes heavy-handed, the characters disappear behind the amplification. Towards the end of the play, MacHeath, in one of his many about turns says to Polly Peachum: ‘It’s you I really love, Polly.‘ The connection between the two characters is real, the drama clicks into place, and we fall about with laughter; the production is working . . . but it’s far too late in the day.

Much potential here, though. Elspeth Brodie creates a warm and innocent Lucy Lockit, Alasdair Macrae (Nimming Ned) has some good comic moments and Sandy Grierson is a striking Macheath.

Kai Fischer’s architectural set and lighting designs are remarkable.

Sandy Grierson: MacHeath.
James Bryce: Peachum.
Pauline Goldsmith: Mrs Peachum.
Damir Todorovic: Lockit.
Elspeth Brodie: Lucy Lockit.
Victoria Bavister: Polly Peachum.
Rosalind Sydney: Mrs Trapes.
Alasdair Macrae: Nimming Ned.

Matthew Lenton: Director.
Kai Fischer: Set and Lighting Designer.
Eve Lambert: Costume Designer.
Mark Melville: Sound Designer.
Alasdair Macrae: Musical Director.
Louise Quinn: Songs.
Finn Ross: Projection and Video Designer.

2009-10-14 15:43:58