Bertolt Brecht

The Threepenny Opera

“By and for Beggar’s”

Have you ever heard of it?

You may be confusing this with the Beggar’s Opera. But do not. This opera was created “by and for the Beggar’s”

Now that all of you have had time the song does it sound familiar. Its The Ballad of Mac the Knife. Which I am hoping most of you have heard before.

Bertolt Brecht

Born on February 10, 1898

was a German poet, playwright and theatre director

wrote his first play, Baal, in 1919

wrote Threepenny in 1928

Interesting Facts

Wrote Threepenny with the German composer Kurt Weill

This show premiered at Berlin's Theater am Schiffbauerdamm on August 31st, 1928

John gay’s Beggar’s Opera, which opened in February 1728, is the work that Threepenny is based on.

Brecht was charged for copying the Beggar’s Opera. He responded by saying “no artist has a right to copyright”

Characters Macheath, Called Mac

the Knife Jonathan Jeremaih

Peachum, Proprietor of the Beggar’s Friend LTD

Celia Peachum, his wife Polly Peachum, his

daughter Brown, High Sheriff of

London Lucy, his daughter

Jesse Martin, Williamstown Theatre Festival, 2003

Mac the Knife

Characters cont..

Low-Dive Jenny Smith The Reverend Kimball Filch A Ballad Singer The Gang Beggars Whores Constables

Brothel scene from act II

House count for first month in University theatre (Calgary)

Average house count per week for Threepenny

0

50

100

150

200

250

1 2 3 4

Weeks

avea

rge

amo

un

t o

f se

ats

sold

students

adults

seniors

Act one

Begins in the shop of Jonathan Jeremiah Peachum, who runs a rather unusual business-he is the boss of London's beggars. He equips and trains them in return for a cut of whatever they can beg.

After finishing with the new man, they notice that their grown daughter Polly did not come home the previous night.

The scene shifts to an empty stable where Macheath himself is preparing to marry Polly once his gang has stolen and brought all the necessary food and furnishings. No vows are exchanged, but Polly is satisfied, and everyone sits down to a banquet.

In the next scene, Polly returns home and defiantly announces that she has married Mack by singing the "Barbara Song." She stands fast against Mr.. and Mrs.. Peachum's anger, but she does let slip Brown's connection to Mack, which they will use to their advantage.

Act two

Polly tells Mack that her father will have him arrested. He is finally persuaded that Peachum has enough influence to do it. Mack then educates Polly on his bandit "business" to Polly so she can manage it in his absence.

Before he leaves town, he stops at his favorite brothel, where he sees his ex-lover, Jenny. Mack doesn't know Mrs.. Peachum has bribed Jenny to turn him in. Despite Brown's apologies, there's nothing he can do, and off Mack goes to jail.

When he is in jail Lucy, and Polly both show up at the same time, and sing a "Jealousy Duet.” After Polly leaves, Lucy engineers Mack's escape.

Mr.. Peachum finds out, he confronts Brown and informs him that he will unleash all of his beggars during Queen Victoria's coronation parade, ruining the ceremony and costing Brown his job.

Act Three

Jenny comes to the Peachums' shop demanding payment, which Mrs.. Peachum refuses to pay.

Jenny reveals that Macheath is at Suky Tawdry's house. Brown arrives, determined to arrest Peachum and the beggars, he is

horrified to learn that the beggars are already in position and only Mr.. Peachum can stop them. Brown arrives, determined to arrest Peachum and the beggars, he is horrified to learn that the beggars are already in position and only Mr.. Peachum can stop them.

Mack is back in jail and desperately trying to raise enough of a bribe to get out again. It becomes clear very soon that he will not raise enough.

Then the Deus Ex Machina comes a messenger on horseback arrives to announce that Macheath has been

pardoned by the queen and granted a castle and pension

The End