Of Pimps & Politicians
(or… How John Gay Invented the Jukebox Musical)
[ENTER “THE BEGGAR”. HE DECLAIMS:] Gather hither, ladies and gents, and attend my tale of pimps and politicians.
I am The Beggar, your tour guide through this raucous recitative of 18th Century London Town’s passions and peccadilloes.
[ASIDE:] Phew! All this heart-quickening alliteration sounds like the language of some Italian opera! And that will never do! We want our filth ‘onest and English! That’s the ‘ole point of the story after all!
And what be such a saga?
It’s a romp with 18th Century London lowlives… it’s the origin story of Musical Theatre… and it’s a biography of the songs, characters and backstory that make up the original stage musical hit The Beggar’s Opera.
And that, ladies and gents (tho truth be told I suspect no true “lady” or “gent” will be fit for such a tour!) is a hoity-toity, highfalutin fig leaf for … filth, fornication and fiduciary malfeasance.
See Macheath as he gambles, drinks, steals and womanises his way through the streets of London! His real-life counterpart, the thief Jack Sheppard, is never far away.
We’ll flick through the pages of Harris’s List of Covent Garden Ladies; the critics Addison and Steele and the painter William Hogarth will act as our Greek Chorus commenting on the action as we go.
Oh, and did you hear the one about the actress who ran off with the married nobleman?
And look! There’s writer John Gay counting his cash and impresario John Rich laughing all the way to the bank – The Beggar’s Opera is, they say, the play that made Jon Gay rich and John Rich gay. Herr Handel in the Haymarket does not look best pleased!
From Adultery to Xenophobia from high opera to low dives in 1700’s London… walk this way!
[THE BEGGAR EXITS, PURSUED BY LONDON WALKERS]
Patrice Samuels –
This was à great tour and Adam brought it to life with his extensive knowledge and storytelling abilities. I highly recommend to anyone who loves theater, opera, or London.
Oren Teicher –
Adam was great…..we’ve done lots and lots of London Walks…..and this was one of the best!
Roberto Belo-Rovella –
Adam brings to life a fascinating story that goes well beyond the theatre stage and shines a light on London’s highs and lows in social history.
On top of that, Adam is a master storyteller, and I guarantee you will love this – and any of his amazing music tours.
Richard Harris –
Adam brought The Beggar’s Opera story to life in an exciting and engaging way on this fantastic walking tour. Thank you Adam! Highly recommended tour.
Sue –
Reading the blurb to decide if this was the walk for me, filth, pimps, politicians, adultery, all of these words are such great bed mates, my interest was sparked. Adam leading it, hooked and booked. Not an easy topic, as there are so few buildings left from that time to show us. Problem? Not for Adam. I had to look over my shoulder several times, it was as if John Gay and Jack Sheppard were actually with us. Watching, listening in the shadows. Executions, (one for the road sir?) torture, body snatching, men and ladies of the night, oh yes they were there too. A stop in Gin Lane with Hogarth and more debauchery, just what I signed up for. Lionel Bart, Handel and Mac The Knife, Fagin and Bill Sykes, beautifully woven into the Beggar’s Opera narrative, by a true master of his trade. Never mind the one about the actress who ran off with the married nobleman? What happened to Tina??
D.M Ruston –
I was really looking forward to this new tour and it did not disappoint! I loved all the historical links with modern musical theatre and meeting the real life villains who inspired the Beggar’s Opera. It was also great to see a side of Covent Garden that I had never seen before. As usual your follow-up playlists are brilliant and I’m looking forward to joining another of your ecclectic and insightful music tours very soon.
Jo Lloyd –
Adam is such a tremendous guide. Erudite and fun. The Beggars Opera was a fascinating tour of the opera itself plus Georgian London, the characters, the dramas and the social mores of the time. I am sure it will become a regular – great to be on the inaugural outing of this particular walk!