The Beggar's Opera

"The Beggar's Opera" by John Gay portrays the lives of crooked thieves, rogues, and sex workers who indulge in heavy drinking in the criminal underworld of London in the 1720s. The play revolves around the vendetta of the crime boss, Peachum, against Macheath, a notorious highwayman who has secretly married Peachum's daughter, Polly. It offers a satirical commentary on the social and political climate of the time, with memorable characters and witty dialogue.