A punky adaptation of John Gay’s banned opera is on this week
Posted on: 08 Apr 2024Polly, the banned sequel to John Gay’s famous Beggar’s Opera, is coming to The Wardrobe Theatre starting this Friday.
The Beggar’s Opera is John Gay’s famous 1728 opera, sometimes referred to as the most popular play of the 18th century. More anti-opera than opera, it has an inherently countercultural punkish sensibility, that only further bloomed in the sequel, Polly.
Even more blatant in its political satire than the original opera, it was banned by the Lord Chamberlain after influence from Robert Walpole, and wasn’t performed until 50 years later, well after John Gay’s death. Now, his legacy continues with a fresh and riotous adaptation on the play as Polly: The Heartbreak Opera comes to the Wardrobe theatre – with a hefty dose of techno, tracksuits and palm trees.
In a tacky beach resort on a storm hit island we meet jilted brides, drag king politicians, a pregnant murderess, and a pirate boyband called Blazin’ Squid. This is “a viciously satirical, unashamedly sexy, fierce and funny musical” – clearly in the spirit of Gay’s original piece.
With songs inspired by Peaches, Britney, and Nina Simone, it clearly hasn’t forgotten it’s operatic roots either – but is happy to bring the music crashing into the modern day. Polly is a collaboration between Marie Hamiltonand Sharp Teeth Theatre (Sherlock In Homes, Streaming Beauty) – and directed by award-winning director, Stephanie Kempson.
The show was devised by the company, with a score by Cameron Macintosh award winner Ben Osborn, Madeline Shann and Ellie Showering of Insane Root. This is a show that was birthed in Berlin but brought up in Bristol, finally getting its homecoming.
Polly: The Heartbreak Opera will be performed at The Wardobe from Friday 12 April until Saturday 20 April, with matinee performances on the Saturdays. For tickets, head to the Wardrobe Theatre’s website.
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Article by:
Patrick is a filmmaker with so much Bristol in his blood the white blood cells are graffiti'd. Educated at the Northern Film School in Leeds, he’s returned home to be a Videographer and Reviewer for 365Bristol and BARBI. When he’s not messing about with cameras, he enjoys playing guitar, spending far too much time on tabletop RPGs, and being an awful snob about cider. Have a look at his work here, or get in touch at patrickb@365bristol.com.
