Gay, John

Polly (1729)

Duration: 105 minutes
Ballad Opera after the version of Johann Christoph Pepusch and John Gay, revised and edited by Clifford Bax and Frederic Austin (1922)

Text by John Gay (E)

Scoring
Major roles: S,3M,T,Bar; 24 minor roles; chorus; 1.1.1.1-tpt-perc:TD/SD-clavicembalo(hpd)-strings.
Abbreviations (PDF).

Territory
This work is available from Boosey & Hawkes for the world.

World Premiere
6/19/1777
Haymarket Theatre, London
Company: unknown



World premiere of version
12/30/1922
Kingsway Theatre, London
Nigel Playfair, director
Conductor: Eugene Goossens

Roles

POLLY PEACHUM	Soprano
MORANO (CAPTAIN MACHEATH)	Baritone
JENNY DIVER	Mezzo Soprano
MRS TRAPES	Mezzo Soprano
MR DUCAT	Tenor
MRS DUCAT	Mezzo Soprano
VANDERBLUFF, pirate	Bass
LAGUERRE, pirate	speaking role
CULVERIN, pirate	speaking role
HACKER, pirate	speaking role
CAPSTAN, pirate	speaking role
CUTLACE, pirate	speaking role
OTHER PIRATES	Chorus (tenors and basses)
POHETOHEE	speaking role
CAWWAWKEE	speaking role
FIRST FOOTMAN	Tenor
SECOND FOOTMAN	Bass
WOMEN OF THE TOWN	Chorus (sopranos and altos)
TWO SLAVES	speaking roles

Time and Place
On an island in the West Indies, early eighteenth century

Synopsis

The coffee planter Ducat is persuaded by Mrs Trapes to acquire one of her young ladies as a servant for his wife. Mrs Ducat, however, suspects her husband may have other employment in mind for the girl – who turns out to be Polly Peachum – and provides her with men's clothing in which to make her escape. Meanwhile Ducat and the island's native inhabitants join forces to repel the lawless pirates, led by Morano – who turns out to be Macheath in disguise. The pirates prove to be no match for the noble Indians, however, and Polly's disguise as a young gallant is eventually seen through. Finally she and Macheath are reunited, while Mrs Trapes and her girls are partnered off with the remaining pirates.

Moods
Comic

Subjects
History, Relationships, Society, Literary