Mac is Back! After George Maguire in The Buskers Opera and Rory Kinnear in The Threepenny Opera, newcomer Sherwood Alexander takes on the notorious role of highwayman Macheath in the original musical that started it all. The full cast is announced today - exclusively with #StageFaves - for Lazarus Theatre's all-new staging of John Gay's THE BEGGAR'S OPERA, which opens at the Jack Studio Theatre next month...
Lazarus Theatre Company are proud to announce the final company of Lazarus Season 2016: the full cast of John Gay’s musical comedy THE BEGGAR'S OPERA. Lazarus is an award-winning company renowned for re-imagining and revitalising classic texts for a contemporary audience. This all-new production, which also marks Lazarus' return to musical theatre, runs at London's Jack Studio Theatre from 8 November to 3 December 2016, with a press night on 10 November.
Commenting on the production, Lazarus artistic director Ricky Dukes, who adapts and directs John Gay's 1728 musical comedy, says:
“Lazarus 2016 has been a fantastic and eclectic season of work, to have the first musical ever written as our finale is a treat. John Gay’s satirical jab in the eye of society is one full of laughter and bombastic characters, he pulls no punches, something we plan to run with! Our cast is assembled of classical actors, musical theatre specialists, gymnasts and acrobats – it certainly is going to be bonkers!”
Sherwood Alexander, who makes his Lazarus debut as the infamous Macheath, added:
“It's an absolute joy to be playing the role of devilish rogue Macheath. In a script that portrays such beauty through vulgarity and humour, it's a great project to be a part of. I'm looking forward to sinking my teeth into every aspect, be it the setting of the play or characteristics of these bawdy people, it's going to be a blast!”
Also making their Lazarus debuts in THE BEGGAR'S OPERA are: Michaela Bennison takes the role of Polly, Elizabeth Hollingshead the role of Lucy, David Jay Douglas and Natalie Barker take on the roles of Mr and Mrs Peachum respectively. Josie Mills plays the role of Lockit while Louis Rayneau, Alasdair Melrose, Rachel Kelly and Shalana Serafina take on the roles of Filtch, Matt the Mint, Jenny and Mrs Trapes respectively.
Polly Peachum longs for her newly-married husband, the roguish highwayman, Macheath. Their whirlwind romance is derailed by her parents, his lover, the law and the noose. John Gay’s THE BEGGAR'S OPERA, credited as the first musical, is set deep within London’s underworld, a frantic, dangerous and lascivious world of highwaymen, hangmen and harlots. This uncompromising exposure of moral and financial corruption comes to the stage with an original score and contemporary staging.
