Join us for this groundbreaking satire, an immersive musical journey through London’s underworld.

The Beggar has written an opera!  Well, not exactly written - he's borrowed all the tunes from folk ditties or well-known melodies... And his plot is not exactly the usual operatic fare - although he says he's followed all the conventions - a hero, a doomed love affair.  But the hero is a highwayman, and completely faithless to his many wives.  And every lady's virtue is for sale - and marriage the way to become a rich widow.  All the characters are villains, from gang leader Peachum, who sells his own gang members to be hanged in order to claim the reward, to the crooked gaoler Lockit, who runs a line in comfortable manacles, or the utterly psychotic Matt o'the Mint, murderer and arsonist. It's just possible the Beggar is sending up the politicians of his day - but surely they aren't crooks, are they?

York Opera presents an immersive production of this classic satire, in which you may find yourself seated next to a cast member - so be careful where you sit!  That demure lady sitting next to you might just be a pickpocket after your snuffbox!

• Show Details

  York Opera presents The Beggar’s Opera by John Gay, arranged by Frederic Austin.

  Total Runtime: 2 hours 15 minutes

• Synopsis

  Act 1

  Peachum, a fence and thief-catcher, and his wife discover that Polly, their daughter, has secretly married Macheath, the famous highwayman, who is Peachum's principal client. They are upset to learn they will no longer be able to use Polly in their business, but conclude that the match may be more profitable if Macheath can be killed for his money. They leave to carry out this errand. However, Polly has hidden Macheath. Macheath goes to a tavern where he is surrounded by women of dubious virtue, who compare their success in picking pockets and shoplifting. Macheath discovers, too late, that two of them (Jenny Diver, Suky Tawdry) have contracted with Peachum to capture him, and he becomes a prisoner in Newgate prison.

  Act 2

  The prison is run by Peachum's associate, the corrupt jailer Lockit. His daughter, Lucy Lockit, scolds Macheath for having agreed to marry her and then broken this promise. Macheath pacifies her, but Polly arrives and claims him as her husband. Lucy helps Macheath to escape by stealing her father's keys. Lockit and Peachum discover Macheath's hiding place, and agree to split his fortune. Polly and Lucy plead with their fathers for Macheath's life. However, Macheath, faced with more claims on him, declares that he is ready to be hanged. Will the narrator (the Beggar) allow such a sad, but properly moral ending, or will Macheath escape his just desserts?.

• Venue

  Address

  The Citadel

  Gillygate

  York

  YO31 7EA

  Getting there

  Several bus routes, including the 1, 5, and 6, serve Exhibition Square. You can also use the city's Park & Ride service, with a stop located on Museum Street, which is a short walk from The Citadel.

  From further afield, The Citadel is about a 15 minute walk from the train station, and the nearest parking is available at Union Street and Bootham Row.

  Accessibility

  The Citadel is easily accessible by wheelchairs, with ground floor seating and accessible toilets.