Regent's Canal: A Folk Opera

Celebrating 200 years since work began on the construction of the Regent's Canal, Musical Flying Squad and London Irish Theatre are collaborating to acknowledge the achievements of the canal's architect John Nash and the engineer James Morgan, as well as the Irish navvies who dug eight miles through the London clay with pick and shovel. Rob Inglis's piece is told in song, exploring the risks, political and personal intrigue and the financial deception that formed the backdrop to the creation of the waterway. The navvies' story unfolds with dramatic references to Irish mythology as they dig to create the Prince Regent's vision for Regent's Park and the canal to 'rival Napoleon's Paris', linking with world trade and the industrial revolution. The action centres around local and familiar landmarks and songs include plenty of opportunity for audience participation. Directed by John Donne; accompanied by musical director Bob Stuckie. (The performance is the starting point for discussion on how immigrant groups, Irish and others have become part of London.)