Silhouetted figures on complex scaffolding strike dramatic poses onstage, with a spotlight illuminating one singer in a fur coat, heels and black hat.

The Threepenny Opera

The Threepenny Opera

The Berliner Ensemble takes on Brecht's biting satire for the UK premiere of this critically acclaimed production directed by Barrie Kosky.

Following its premiere in Berlin in 1928, The Threepenny Opera was an overnight phenomenon. Written by Bertolt Brecht and Elisabeth Hauptmann with music by Kurt Weill, it was a gamechanger for the genre of music theatre.

The Berliner Ensemble, founded by Brecht himself, is joined by Barrie Kosky for this production, which opens with the iconic song ‘Die Moritat von Mackie Messer’, now better-known as the jazz standard ‘Mack the Knife’. Kosky, the former Artistic Director of Komische Oper Berlin, returns to the Festival following his acclaimed production of Eugene Onegin in 2019.

The story follows notorious criminal Mack the Knife, who has recently married Polly Peachum. Her father is determined to have Mack the Knife hanged. Based on John Gay’s The Beggar’s Opera, this satire of capitalist society is a story about love, betrayal and morality.

A touch tour for blind or partially sighted audience members is available before the 5pm performance on 20 August. Find out more.

Programming Manager Emma Hay introduces what will be one of her highlights of the 2023 Festival. The Threepenny Opera's Music Director Adam Benzwi talks about how they deliberately strove to create a more intimate, human retelling of this much loved comic opera.

All you need to know

0 Stars

A freshly presented story focused on that most fundamental of human dramas: love

The New York Times

Supported by Vivienne and Robin Menzies

Programme

Berliner Ensemble / Barrie Kosky
Bertolt Brecht (text) and Kurt Weill (music) in collaboration with Elisabeth Hauptmann

Barrie Kosky Director
Adam Benzwi Musical Director
Rebecca Ringst Stage Designer
Dinah Ehm Costume Designer
Ulrich Eh Lighting Designer
Holger Schwark Sound Designer
Sibylle Baschung Dramaturg

Tilo Nest Jonathan Jeremiah Peachum
Pauline Knof Celia Peachum
Cynthia Micas Polly Peachum
Gabriel Schneider Macheath, aka Mack the Knife, and Filch, one of Peachum’s Beggars
Kathrin Wehlisch Brown
Amelie Willberg Lucy
Bettina Hoppe Ginny-Jenny
Josefin Platt The Moon Over Soho
Nicky Wuchinger Smith
Julia Berger, Julie Wolff, Nicky Wuchinger, Dennis Jankowiak Macheath’s Gang, Robbers, Muggers and Whores
Heidrun Schug (double for The Moon Over Soho)

Adam Benzwi Piano, Harmonium
James Scannell Alto Saxophone, Clarinet, Flute, Piccolo
Doris Decker Soprano Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone
Lorenz Jansky Trumpet
Otwin Zipp Double Bass
Stephan Genze Percussion
Ralf Templin Guitar

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