Brecht and Weill turned to John Gay's 18th-century "The Beggar's Opera" to fashion this savage, biting commentary on bourgeois capitalism and modern morality. Set in Victorian London, the bitter tale is told of the predatory outlaw known as Mack The Knife.
He secretly marries the daughter of Soho's underworld boss, but is soon betrayed by his sinister in-laws and sent to prison. After being freed by the police chief's daughter, he is again betrayed - this time by a prostitute - and sentenced to death. At the final hour he manages a reprieve from Queen Victoria herself, thus providing a menacing finale of ferocious irony.
Cast Requirements: PRINCIPALS
4 Women
4 Men
FEATURED
3 Men
ENSEMBLE
Singing-dancing ensemble consisting of Cops, Beggars, Street People
CHARACTERS
A Street Singer
Mr. J. J. Peachum
Mrs. Peachum
Filch
Polly Peachum
MacHeath (Mack the Knife)
Jenny
Reverend Kimball
Tiger Brown - Commissioner of Police
Smith - Warden
Lucy Brown
Readymoney Matt
Crookfinger Jake
Bob the Saw
Walt Dreary
Betty
Dolly
Molly
Coaxer
Set Requirements: THE THREEPENNY OPERA takes place in London, 1837, before and during Queen Victoria's Coronation.
SPECIFIC LOCATIONS
A Street, Soho
Peachum's Beggar's Outfit Shop
An Empty Stable
A Brothel in Wapping
Newgate Prison
Newgate Prison Death Cell
Genre / Style: Melodrama
Rehearsal / Orchestral Material: Rehearsal Set
20 Libretto-Vocal Books
2 Piano Conductor Scores
Orchestra Package (8 Books)
1 FULL SCORE
1 KEYBOARD (Piano, Harmonium, Celesta)
1 REED I (Clarinet, Alto Sax)
1 REED II (Clarinet, Tenor Sax)
1 TRUMPET I-II
1 TROMBONE (with F attachment)
1 GUITAR (Doubles Banjo and Hawaiian Guitar)
1 Percussion
Musical Numbers: The Ballad of Mack The Knife, Pirate Jenny, Barbara Song, Tango Ballad, Solomon Song, Useless Song.