The Beggar´s Opera: First Production

It is well-known that the brilliance of the 18th century in England is not due to drama. Only two theatres, Drury Lane and Lincoln´s Inn Fields, laterly called Covent Garden, stand out during the first half of this century. These two theatres formed part of the history of the first production of The Beggar´s Opera on January 1728. When the author of this day, John Gay, brought his new ballad opera to Colley Cibber, manager of Drury Lane, this director rejected John Gay´s proposal. Soon after, the boss of Lincoln´s Inn Fields, John Rich, bought The Beggar´s Oppera, giving so the oportunity to perform it. It was the huge popularity of this performance that led Rich to build Covent Garden years later. Nowadays, it continues being ths most popular opera house in London. 

Gay´s opera was composed of ballads and tunes from popular music. Its 69 songs belong to a collection in verse of folksongs and melodies titled Wit and Mirth or Pills to Purge Melancholy, written by Thomas D´Urgly. Gay chose songs from this source, created his won lyrics to fit his opera , as well as borrowing tunes from some of his contemporary composers Eccles, Barret, Purcell, Clarke, and Handel. Further, he used tunes from English, Scotch and Irish folkstongs, belonging to different popular styles, from jigs to hymn.like tunes. Dr. Pepusch provided the overture and assisted in th orchestration of the opera. 

The original cast was as follows, in the order of mention in the first edition:

• Peachum.......................Hippisley
• Lockit..........................Hall
• Macheath......................Walker
• Filch............................Clark                                    
• Jemmy Twitcher..............Bullock
• Crookfinger'd Jack...........Houghton
• Wat Dreary....................Smith
• Robin of Bagshot.............Lacy
• Nimming Ned.................Pit
• Harry Padington..............Eaton
• Mat of the Mint...............Spiller
• Ben Budge....................Morgan
• Beggar.........................Chapman
• Player..........................Milward
• Mrs. Peachum................Mrs. Martin
• Polly Peachum................Miss Fenton
• Lucy Lockit...................Mrs. Egleton
• Diana Trapes..................Mrs. Martin
• Mrs. Coaxer...................Mrs. Holliday
• Dolly Trull.....................Mrs. Lacy
• Mrs. Vixen....................Mrs. Rice
• Betty Doxy....................Mrs. Rogers
• Jenny Diver...................Mrs. Clarke
• Mrs. Slammekin.............Mrs. Morgan
• Suky Tawdry.................Mrs. Palin
• Molly Brazen.................Mrs. Sallee 

As regard the reaction people had towards this first performance, it was very positive, especially for Mis Lavinia Fenton, who played the first Polly Peachum, as she became the "toast of the town." Continually, this actress received leters and poems from her admirers. When Miss Fenton stopped playing Polly, there was much competition for the part. These two headings exemplify the sensation at that time:

February 3, 1728

"This Week a Dramatick Entertainment has been exhibited at the Theatre in Lincoln's-Inn-Fields, entitled The Beggar's Opera, which has met with a general Applause, insomuch that the Waggs say it has made Rich very Gay, and probably will make Gay very Rich."

The reference to Rich above refers to John Rich, the manager of the Lincoln's Inn Fields theater.

February 17, 1728

"We hear that the British Opera, commonly called The Beggar's Opera, continues to be acted, at the Theatre in Lincoln's-Inn Fields with general Applause, to the great Mortification of the Performers and Admirers of the Outlandish Opera in the Haymarket."

(From the Craftsman)