The Beggar’s Opera

The Davenport Pack Players will be introducing their 2022-2023 theater season with their comedic performances of The Beggar’s Opera on Thursday, September 28 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, October 1 at 2 p.m. in the auditorium.

Tickets are currently for sale online. Tickets are eight dollars for general admission, five dollars for students, and are free of charge for CISD staff and students with extracurricular passes.

Junior Jack Lindley, who has the part of Captain Macheath, a mischievous ladies’ man, says that The Beggar’s Opera is fun for teens and adults.

“It’s an old-timey comedy, with a lot of falling, hitting, and slapstick jokes,” said Lindley, “it’s a lot of innuendos.”

Junior Owen English, who plays Mr. Peachum, said that this play has allowed him to expand his theatrical ability while gathering skills that he will use in the future.

“It’s been another stepping stone. It’s a play I have never done; It’s stepping out of my comfort zone and making me grow as an actor and a person,” said English.

While the production is comical and serves as a technical learning experience, it has also helped teach the actors some deeper, more introspective lessons.

“He showed me that I need to take more time for myself,” said English on his character, “I think people do things for themselves and come across as selfish, but they’re really just taking care of themselves.”

Senior Carter Traynor, who plays Ned, a criminal in Macheath’s gang, said that he has enjoyed the teamwork aspect of being an ensemble cast member and that having prior theatrical experience has helped him be a part of helping new members enter the world of theater.

“I’m a veteran here so if people have questions in the chorus I always make sure they know what’s going on, and if they don’t then I’ll help them,” said Traynor

With a period slapstick comedy such as this, actors had to prepare for their roles in this new genre in their own ways.

“I read the show from top to bottom,” said Traynor, “I had to read it a couple of times to understand what the story is, and how to interpret my character and incorporate them into the story.”

Junior Bekah Enfield who plays Polly, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Peachum, said that putting this show together has been an overall fun experience and has also found it to be an exciting opportunity for growth.

“I’m proud that I pushed myself to work with characterization, and pushed myself to be a better actress,” said Enfield, “I think my craft is better now.”