Peachum retires with Filch to ply him with alcohol. Filch is torn between guarding Polly’s confidence and his loyalty to Mrs. Peachum asks one of the lesser henchmen, Filch, for information about the romance. Above all, Polly must not marry Macheath, or else her money and potential earnings will default to Macheath. It is imperative that they intercede to stop the romance in its tracks. More importantly, she believes their daughter Polly may be embroiled in a love affair with the Captain. Peachum, whether she has lately seen Captain Macheath, one of their more distinguished highwaymen. When they are no longer of use, he betrays his associates to the criminal court system for a tidy reward. Peachum is a professional “impeacher” he runs a gang of thieves, highwaymen and prostitutes, profiting by their earnings. The story begins in Peachum’s house, as Peachum flips through his account book. The Beggar - the “author” of the piece - assures the audience that his play follows all other conventions of the day's fashionable operas. Of primary importance is that the piece be understood as opera, even though it contains no recitative and no epilogue or prologue. They directly address the audience about the impending story’s origins, intentions and form. An “introductory” scene opens The Beggar’s Opera, featuring the Beggar and the Player.
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