The Convicts Opera

This is a bit of a hit-and-miss affair, I’m afraid. It’s John Gay’s 18th century Beggars Opera being rehearsed by convicts on a ship en route to Australia. Unfortunately, alternating between the journey and the play makes it bitty, confusing and irritating.

 

The musical standards, however, are exceptional and the addition of contemporary songs really works. The cast do their very best, but in the end it’s just a worthy failure.