The Berliner Ensemble, founded by Bertolt Brecht and is famous for his pioneering "epic theatre" style with profound influence on contemporary theatre. Based on John Gay’s The Beggar’s Opera, written by Bertolt Brecht and Elisabeth Hauptmann with music by Kurt Weill, The Threepenny Opera was an overnight phenomenon following its premiere in Berlin in 1928 and was a gamechanger for the genre of music theatre. Here, the Berliner Ensemble is joined by Barrie Kosky, the former Artistic Director of Komische Oper Berlin in a new production that demonstrates the piece’s timeless power.

 

This darkly comic satire of capitalism weaves a story of love, betrayal, and morality. Its sharp critique and iconic music remain as powerful as ever. In the hands of Barrie Kosky and the Berliner Ensemble, its legendary songs and universal story are pulled into sharp focus with perfectly choreographed scenes, catchy hooks and a silver-spangled stage. This makes the new production of The Threepenny Opera its first Asia premiere in Shanghai West Bund Theatre.