Out of Joint and Sydney Theatre Company present - The Convict's Opera at The Liverpool Playhouse.

The Convicts Opera voyages to the Liverpool Playhouse - 10 -14 March 2009 From two of the worlds most foremost theatre companies comes a hilarious new adaptation of John Gays classic musical The Beggars Opera. Stephen Jeffreys shifts the setting from the dirty underbelly of 18th century London to a creaking convict ship bound for Australia. In a co-production between regular Liverpool visiting company Out of Joint (Testing The Echo, King of Hearts, The Overwhelming) and Cate Blanchett and Andrew Uptons Sydney Theatre Company The Convicts Opera brings together an extraordinary cast of talented actor-musicians drawn from Britain and Australia directed by the renowned Max Stafford-Clark. With a score that beautifully combines the folk tunes of the original production with some modern musical surprises The Convicts Opera is a riotous theatrical journey which sets sail from the Liverpool Playhouse on Tuesday 10 March. Bursting with infamy, intrigue, fun and romance, the classic musical comedy gets a fantastic re-imagining. On a ship bound for Australia a group of convicts are ordered to put on a show set in the criminal underworld of London that theyve left far behind. Cue stormy seas (and stormy scenes), reluctant cross-dressing and an incredible score played live on an eccentric combination of instruments. Stephen Jeffreys who wrote The Libertine for Out of Joint and the screenplay for the movie version, recently filmed starring Johnny Depp, has written the adaptation of The Beggars Opera. Max Stafford-Clark brings this unique theatre event to life and brilliantly evokes the atmosphere on board together with a memorable musical arrangement from Felix Cross and choreography from John OConnell (Moulin Rouge, Strictly Ballroom). The cast from both sides of the earth includes Glenn Butcher (Kath and Kim) and Brian Protheroe (Saruman in Lord of the Rings Theatre Royal Drury Lane). Out of Joint and Sydney Theatre Company present THE CONVICTS OPERA by Stephen Jeffreys Adapted from The Beggars Opera by John Gay Directed by Max Stafford-Clark Musical Director: Felix Cross Choreographer: John OConnell With: Glenn Butcher, Amelia Cormack, Peter Cousens, Thomas Eyre, Karina Fernandez, Nicholas Goode, Juan Jackson, Ali McGregor, Brian Protheroe and Catherine Russell. The Convicts Opera is suitable for ages 14+ Dates:Tuesday 10 March 2009 Saturday 14 March 2009 Venue:Liverpool Playhouse, Williamson Square, Liverpool, L1 Time: Tuesday-Saturday evenings at 7:30pm Preview: Tuesday 10 March at 7.30pm Matinee at 1.30pm on Thursday 12 March Matinee at 2.00pm on Saturday 14 March Ticket prices:£9.00-£20 Standbys: £5 (only available to students and under 26 yrs on day of performance) Box Office:0151 709 4776 Online Booking (24-hour):www.everymanplayhouse.com