Southampton Solent University Student Theatre. John Everett Millais Building John Gay's classic 18th century comic opera is often considered the forerunner of the modern musical, telling the tale of Peachum, thief-taker and informer, conspiring to send the dashing and lecherous highwayman Macheath to the gallows.

Eloise Oliver's inaugural production in this new performance space featured all the greed, lust and corruption of the period, brought to life by an enthusiastic and hard-working company of students who acted, sung and danced their way with vigour through this satirical and moralistic tale of social inequality.

Though perhaps somewhat over-ambitious as a whole and imbalanced in terms of performances, the production nevertheless highlighted the particular talents of Sophie Benefer as Mrs. Peachum and Jessica Loretta Lowrey as Lucy Lockit, both speaking and singing strongly and showing a great sense of period comedy.

The company of assorted whores, drunkards and thieves supported well in the chorus numbers and the show will doubtless mature and gain pace over its three-night run.

Ed Howson

4:05pm Friday 8th February 2008

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