Opera Archive
The Archive holds a wealth of material about the people, productions and origins of our world-renowned opera house. Come and see curated exhibitions and find out what’s new in the Glyndebourne Archive.
The Beggars Opera, 19 January 1940
The Opera
Venue: Theatre Royal, Brighton
Composer: John Gay
Librettist: John Gay
Conductor: Anthony Bernard
Orchestra: London Orchestra
Cast
Peachum: Roy Henderson
Lockit: Joseph Farrington
Macheath: Michael Redgrave
Filch: Bruce Flegg
The Player: Noel Willman
Mrs Peachum: Constance Willis
Polly Peachum: Audrey Mildmay
Lucy Lockit: Linda Gray
Diana Trapes: Alys Brough
Jemmy Twitcher: Frederick Bush
Crook-Fingered Jack: Emlyn Burns
Wat Dreary: Philip Lewtas
Robin Of Bagshot: Dunstan Hart
Nimming Ned: Michael Stoller
Harry Padington: Peter Land
Mat Of The Mint: Maldwyn Thomas
Ben Budge: George Israel
Mrs Coaxer: Rita Mackay
Dolly Troll: Sarah Jennings
Mrs Vixen: Peggy Hale
Betty Doxy: Barbara Beaumont
Jenny Diver: Eugenie Walmsley
Mrs Slammekin: Anne Crecy
Suky Tawdry: Gwen Bateman
Molly Brazen: Rosamund Dalton
Drawer: Appleton Moore
Turnkey: Frederick Bush
Maid In The Tavern: Rosemary Michael
The Beggar: Frank Napier
Production Team
Original Producer: John Gielgud
Set Designer: Motley
Costume Designer: Motley
Choreographer: Suria Magito
The Opera
Venue: Theatre Royal, Brighton
Composer: John Gay
Librettist: John Gay
Conductor: Anthony Bernard
Orchestra: London Orchestra
Cast
Peachum: Roy Henderson
Lockit: Joseph Farrington
Macheath: Michael Redgrave
Filch: Bruce Flegg
The Player: Noel Willman
Mrs Peachum: Constance Willis
Polly Peachum: Audrey Mildmay
Lucy Lockit: Linda Gray
Diana Trapes: Alys Brough
Jemmy Twitcher: Frederick Bush
Crook-Fingered Jack: Emlyn Burns
Wat Dreary: Philip Lewtas
Robin Of Bagshot: Dunstan Hart
Nimming Ned: Michael Stoller
Harry Padington: Peter Land
Mat Of The Mint: Maldwyn Thomas
Ben Budge: George Israel
Mrs Coaxer: Rita Mackay
Dolly Troll: Sarah Jennings
Mrs Vixen: Peggy Hale
Betty Doxy: Barbara Beaumont
Jenny Diver: Eugenie Walmsley
Mrs Slammekin: Anne Crecy
Suky Tawdry: Gwen Bateman
Molly Brazen: Rosamund Dalton
Drawer: Appleton Moore
Turnkey: Frederick Bush
Maid In The Tavern: Rosemary Michael
The Beggar: Frank Napier
Production Team
Original Producer: John Gielgud
Set Designer: Motley
Costume Designer: Motley
Choreographer: Suria Magito