Andreson, Bannell, et al. Set for Regent's Park OAT's BEGGAR'S OPERA

Lucy Bailey directs John Gay's original text of The Beggar's Opera from 23 June as part of the 2011 season at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre.

Best known as Kevin Wicks in Eastenders, Jimmy in Quadrophenia and narrating tracks on Blur's Parklife album, Phil Daniels will play the role of Mr Lockit alongside David Caves as Macheath. David recently played Macduff in Cheek by Jowl's Macbeth and Bolsa in The Duchess of Malfi. Having charmed audiences as Little Red Riding Hood in last year's production of Into the Woods at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre, Beverly Rudd will take on the role of Lucy Lockit. Mr and Mrs Peachum will be played by Tim Frances and Janet Fullerlove and Polly Peachum will be played by Flora Spencer-Longhurst. Suky Tawdry and Jenny Diver will be played by Akiya Henry (returning to the Open Air Theatre following her performance as Millie Fay in Hello, Dolly!)and Lucie Skeaping.

Further casting includes Karen Anderson (Mrs Traipes' Assistant) Jack Bannell (Ben Budge) Keith Dunphy (Matt of the Mint), Oliver Hoare (Filch), Rob McNeil (Gang), Fernanda Prata (Woman of the Town), Vinicius Salles (Gang), Frank Scantori (Jailer/Mrs Traipes)

Discover the innocent but feisty heroine Polly Peachum, her wronged rival Lucy Lockit and Macheath, their irrepressible highwayman lover, as a tangled web of lies and deceit blissfully unravels. Deep in London's underworld, this comedy of highwaymen, hangmen and harlots is an uncompromising exposure of moral and financial corruption. This comically corrupt satire, designed by William Dudley, also features movement by Punchdrunk's Maxine Doyle, and The City Waites, led by Roddy Skeaping, use authentic instruments to recreate the popular ballads and folk tunes of the time.

The 2010 season at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre became the most successful in the theatre's history with more than 142,000 visitors across its sixteen-week run. Capitalising on the inimitable relationship between production and setting, Into the Woods became the highest-grossing single production at the theatre taking £1.2m in five weeks, whilst The Comedy of Errors became the most successful Shakespeare play. Arthur Miller's The Crucible, attracted a whole new audience to the theatre: 72% of those who attended the play had never been to the venue before. Steve Marmion's production of Macbeth, re-imagined for ages six and over, achieved the highest footfall for a family show.

Continuing the 2011 season, Shakespeare's Pericles will be directed by Natalie Abrahami, re-imagined for everyone aged six and over from 2- 23 July. The final production of the 2011 season, playing from 28 July - 10 September, is George and Ira Gershwin's hit musical comedy, Crazy for You. The creative team from the multi-award winning production of Hello, Dolly! re-unite as Timothy Sheader directs, with choreography by Stephen Mear and designs by Peter McKintosh. Gareth Valentine returns as the musical director after joining the Open Air Theatre last season for Sondheim's Into the Woods.

The box office at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre is now open. Members of the public can also call the Box Office on 0844 826 4242 or book online at www.openairtheatre.com

 

 

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