Performed at a little theatre with great applause [graphic]

"Two actresses in a prison scene from Gay's 'Beggar's Opera'. At their feet is a tombstone inscribed 'The Beggars Opera Captn Macheath by Mrs E . . . [erased]', 'Lucy by Mrs W . . . [erased]'; other erasures are followed by '"Here lies Gay"'. They are identified by Mr. Hawkins as Mrs. Edwards and Mrs. Webb. Macheath (right), in leg-irons and fashionably dressed, wearing a cocked hat and top-boots, the tight riding-dress showing a feminine figure with ample curves, stands with his hands raised as if singing. Beside and behind him stands Lucy, listening, with her hands on her hips. She is stout and middle-aged, a head taller than Macheath, and resembles Mrs. Peachum more than Lucy. In the background is a barred window (right). Across the top of the design is etched 'Motto for the Manager', and (on a scroll) '"Reddere personae scit convenientia cuique" Hor'."--British Museum online catalogue