The Buskers Opera may be just days away from hitting the London stage, but we couldn’t wait any longer to hear the new musical’s talented cast in action.
A few carefully placed phone calls, tweets and emails later and the show’s leads – Bend It Like Beckham’s Lauren Samuels and Olivier Award-winning former star of Sunny Afternoon George Maguire – have recorded their version of the not-quite-as-romantic-as-you-might-expect Love Song for our listening pleasure. And what a pleasure it is.
Dougal Irvine’s Love Song lyrics, which depict two sides of the same scenario, give a hint to the dry, satirical humour audiences can expect from the musical that delves into the morality of a politician and media mogul who try to use the 2012 London Olympics to their own advantage, and the street performers, led by Maguire’s Macheath, who aim to bring them down.
While you listen to The Buskers Opera’s leads, there’s still time to help the production with its crowdfunded outreach programme. Through its Art Matters: Pass It On scheme, the show is raising money to stage a relaxed performance of the show and make tickets available to audiences who would not normally be able to attend. Read more about why here and donate at the Crowdfunder page.