mercy of social forces: Beggar's Opera sadly reminds us!

Why has the Beggar's Opera remained popular with theatergoers for so long? Fair enough question for something that's been around for the past 275 years. A considerable life for any play that depicted the society of when it was originally performed.

Written by John Gay, and first performed on 29th January 1728, The Beggar's Opera as it was mockingly named, is anything but an opera for it lacks the antiquity, seriousness and most importantly the Italian touch to qualify to be an opera. What it is, is a humorous musical which involves the character periodically busting into song, with the audience finding it hard to restraint their laughter as the play takes as many opportunities to attack the classical opera setting.

The three act play which is a constant battle of wits starts with the Beggar (representing the author, and the...
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