Don't worry - it's not an opera! 
On 2nd January 1788, a play was performed on board the convict ship Scarborough en route to Botany Bay.
With this thought in mind, the musical play The Convict's Opera tells the story of a small group of convicts who gain permission from their uptight captain to produce a play, The Beggar's Opera by John Gay. This opera with music from folk tunes and popular ballads was the favourite choice of entertainment of the ordinary people in London in the Eighteenth Century.
The songs in The Convict's Opera are mainly 20th Century pop songs that even the crew cannot resist singing. The popular modern songs, along with the sprinkling of ballads make for an entertaining and unusual musical evening.
The actors range from a petty thief, to an arsonist, a counterfeiter, whores, a highwayman and a parson. As the play unfolds we learn about the convict's personal stories and can see parallels with their characters in The Beggar's Opera. They are sad and funny, bawdy and solemn and their stories will resonate with Australian audiences as they recognise the makings of a distinctly Australian character.
The show opens this Thursday, 6 August, at 7.30pm, with evening performances on 5, 6, 11, 12 and 13 August, and a special matinee at 2pm on Saturday 6 August.
Tickets are on sale now from the Goldfields Arts Centre www.goldfieldsartscentre.com.au or 9088 6900. Tickets are $25 each, or $20 for Rep Club members and concession.
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