Theatre / Musical
Bristol-born musical ‘Polly The Heartbreak Opera’ finally comes home
Polly The Heartbreak Opera is a riotous new musical adaptation of Polly, John Gay’s 18th century sequel to The Beggar’s Opera – a “gender-bending, anti-colonialist, proto-feminist play” which was banned and subsequently not performed within his lifetime.
Back in 2020, the coronavirus pandemic forced Bristol-based company Sharp Teeth Theatre to postpone the planned performance dates of their show.
It was developed in both Berlin and Bristol by artistic director Stephanie Kempson in collaboration with co-writer and performer Marie Hamilton, with a score by Ben Osborn and design by Sam Wilde.
Photo: Chelsey Cliff
With a musical soundtrack inspired by techno, punk and noughties pop, the award-winning creative team have created a production exploring the complexities of contemporary relationships with colonialism, love, sex, and femininity: “howling, weeping, roaring and laughing over our heartbreaks, our hopes, our fears and our rage”.
In the intervening years since its creation, they have variously been delayed by money, resources, and absence while raising young children – but now, they are preparing finally to bring Polly.. back to its home city.
Photo: Paul Blakemore
After an eight-day run at The Wardrobe Theatre, the production will be going on its first UK tour, including a string of dates in Manchester, London, and Brighton Fringe.
Audiences can expect “jilted brides, drag king politicians, a pregnant murderess, and a pirate boyband called Blazin’ Squid”, congregating on a storm-ravaged island, replete with techno, tracksuits and palm trees.
Polly The Heartbreak Opera is at The Wardrobe Theatre from April 12-20 at 7.30pm (and an additional 2pm show on Saturdays. Tickets are available at www.thewardrobetheatre.com. Follow Sharp Teeth Theatre @tinylittlefangs and Stephanie Kempson @steph_kempson.
Main photo: Paul Blakemore
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