"THE BEGGAR'S OPERA."

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 129, 28 November 1923, Page 10

"THE BEGGAR'S OPERA."

At'the Grand Opera House on Saturday night J. C. Williamson, Ltd., will produce for the first time in New Zealand "The Beggar's Opera." Although 200 y-eavs old, this opera has never yet been a failure, wherever it has appeared. Its present run in London is in the fourth year, and there are only four recordbreakers left to be overtaken, two of these being "The Maid of the Mountains," and "Chu Chi.n Chow." Playgoers here, while being able to enjoy one of the merriest entertainments ever submitted to them, will, it is promised, receive'a rare insight into the life of England 200 years ago, for as the Beggar ■himself says, "there is not an honourable or. honest man or woman in the play."- The play goes along, tongue in cheek, with simpering;', struttings, postures aping the artificial play-acting of the period, with dialogue well nigh unprintable _ to-day, and the most astounding villainies in verse, set to tunes that Will live for ever. These tunes, largely the London street music of the time, are delightful. Prim and precise, suggestive of hymns more than anything else, they provide a piquant' contrast to the rascalities they clothe. The entertainment is described as one enjoyed the more as the play progresses, enjoying still more on the second and third visit. The leading members of the cast are: -Macheath (Mr. Hilton Osborne), Polly Peachum (Miss Pauline Bindley), Peachum (Mr. Keg. Roberts)^ The Beggar (Mr. Harry Schofield), Lockit (Mr. Geo. Willoughby),. Mrs. Peachum (Miss Lily Maylou), LucyvLqekitfr (Miss Beryl Walkley). The box plans for the season open to-morrow morning at The Bristol. "