Sailing in from Sydney, a musical comedy full of intrigue and romance

12:34pm Thursday 8th January 2009

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FRESH from opening at the Sydney Theatre Company, where Cate Blanchett is artistic director, The Convict’s Opera receives its European premiere on the main house stage of Salisbury Playhouse next Thursday, January 15.

A musical co-production between the Sydney Theatre Company and Out of Joint (last seen at the Playhouse with David Edgar’s play Testing the Echo), The Convict’s Opera by Stephen Jeffreys has been adapted from John Gay’s Beggar’s Opera.

Directed by Max Stafford-Clark, this musical comedy is bursting with infamy, intrigue, fun and romance.

On a creaking ship, a group of convicts is ordered to put on a show set in the criminal underworld of the 18th century London they have left far behind.

This is a world that is packed with larger than life characters such as highwayman Macheath and his lover, sweet Polly Peachum.

Cue stormy seas, reluctant cross-dressing and a musical score combining the beautiful folk tunes of the original with comedic reworkings of modern classics such as Sailing, Those Were The Days and You’re So Vain.

The ensemble cast of actors/musicians is drawn from both Britain and Australia and includes Salisbury-born Brian Protheroe, who began his acting career at Salisbury Playhouse in the 1960s with roles such as Paris in Romeo and Juliet, prior to a prolific theatre and television career.

Brian more recently played Saruman in the West End spectacle The Lord of the Rings.

The Convict’s Opera runs at Salisbury Playhouse from Thursday, January 15, to Saturday, January 24, and tickets are available from the box office on 01722 320333.