musical theatre britain ballad operas like john gay 's ''the beggar 's opera'' included lyrics written tunes popular songs day often spoofing opera later pantomime developed commedia dell'arte comic opera mostly romantic plot lines like michael balfe 's ''the bohemian girl'' meanwhile continent singspiel com die en vaudeville op ra comique zarzuela forms light musical entertainment emerging ''the beggar 's opera'' first recorded long running play kind running successive performances would take almost century afterwards
Humanities Performing arts Theatre Musical theatre