Polly (The Heartbreak Opera) at The Lowry

A riotous, radical adaptation of Polly, John Gay’s banned sequel to The Beggar’s Opera, with techno, tracksuits and palm trees.

In a tacky beach resort on a storm hit island we meet jilted brides, drag king politicians, a pregnant murderess, and a pirate boyband called Blazin’ Squid. Telling not just the story of Purest Polly Peachum but of the other wives of Mac the Knife as well, this is a viciously satirical, unashamedly sexy, fierce and very funny musical. It is a wild, joyous battle cry, an unashamed expression of female rage, of love, loss, and revenge. With songs inspired by Peaches, Britney and Nina Simone.

Polly is a collaboration between Marie Hamilton (Madonna On The Rocks) and Sharp Teeth Theatre. It was made at Theatrehaus, Berlin, and is finally returning to the Lowry after it’s curtain raiser debut in 2019. It was directed by Stephanie Kempson, Fringe First award winning director of The Good The Bad and The Coyote Ugly and Breathless (NY Times Critics Pick). It was devised by the company, with a score by Cameron Macintosh award winner Ben Osborn, Madeline Shann and Ellie Showering (Breach Theatre).