Details

In a world run by beggars, thieves, crooks and whores the only way to survive is violence and cruelty. Criminal ringleader Macheath has secretly married the daughter of the ruler of the beggars and his many 'wives', girlfriends and whores have to decide whether they are better off with or without him. Everyone betrays everyone else as there can be no loyalty amongst the downtrodden. Macheath's seductive journey through Brecht's Threepenny underworld will highlight the gender issues and conflicts in addition to the more obvious class struggles as he attempts to skilfully sidestep the gallows.

Performers Christopher Dickins, Natasha Lewis, James Lailey, Elizabeth Marsh, Lois Naylor, Michael Shaeffer (Macheath), David Rubin (Peachum), Harvey Verdi, Douglas Whyte.
Music Kurt Weill. Book by Bertolt Brecht. Lyrics Bertolt Brecht. Company Royal National Theatre. Translation Jeremy Sams (lyrics). Adapted by Anthony Meech (book). Translation Elisabeth Hauptmann (original German translation of [John Gay]'s The Beggar's Opera). Director Timothy Baker. Design Mark Bailey. Other Steven Edis (musical supervision). Director Douglas Whyte (music). Lighting Nick Beadle. Lighting Flick Ansell (associate lighting designer). Choreographer Francesca Jaynes. Sound Neil Alexander. Other Fiona Lesley (education director).