The Threepenny Opera

Performance history in South Africa

(German: Die Dreigroschenoper) is a musical by German dramatist Bertolt Brecht and composer Kurt Weill, in collaboration with translator Elisabeth Hauptmann and set designer Caspar Neher. It was adapted from an 18th-century English ballad opera, John Gay's The Beggar's Opera, and offers a Socialist critique of the capitalist world. It opened on 31 August 1928 at Berlin's Theater am Schiffbauerdamm.

Often performed in South Africa.

An English translation by Ralph Mannheim and John Willett was performed in South Africa in September 1987. This was a student production.The director was Malcolm Purkey, designed by Paul Roumanoff and musical direction by Richard and Susan Cock. Lighting by Paul Abrams. Choreography: Esther Nasser. Cast included Kellam Beard, Richard Harrison, Megan Wilson, Daniella Roman, Zane Meas, Sarah Leftwich, Lisa Melman, Natalie Coyle, Gerard Bester, Brigid Schutz, Dominique Pascale, Chantal Nativel, Craig Freimond, Gladwin Marumo, Mandy Crock, Beverley Crook, Mickey Dube, Michelle Baker, Dorothy Brislin, Rosie Fiore, Mich'ele Levin, Heidi Britten, Michelle Kramer, Isabel Smook, Jennifer Yuill, Christine Comino, Lara Foot, Edward Jordan, Janice Kramer, Teresa Lintvelt, Beverley Shor, Kate Alexander, Bronwyn Keene-Young, Victor Maloka, Tale Motsepe and Gert Pretorius. The orchestra included Richard Cock, Susan Cock, Charles Wiffen, Caroline Hobbs, Liza Crouch, Alan Thompson, Gaby Gunders, Dain Peters, Reinet Nortj'e and Robert Evans. Stage director: Siphiwe Khumalo. Stage Manager: Gillian Glauber.