Unlike any other opera, the so-called Beggar's Opera is not just one composition, but a lineage of adapted compositions, beginning with the original hugely successful 1728 political satire written by Englishman John Gay. Composers and writers have penned variations on it ever since. The most famous of these was A Threepenny Opera by Bertholt Brecht and Kurt Weill. Some things these compositions share in common is their setting among the poor and criminal classes, and the roguish character Macheath. This production is based on an adaptation of Gay's original by Vaclav Havel the freedom-fighter, writer and philosopher who became the first (and only) president of the united post-communist country of Czechoslovakia, and it retains many traces of its theatrical origins. Film reviewers were not too tolerant of what they called "slavish adherence" to the noted Czech writer's stage production, but theater, philosophy and history buffs may feel otherwise.
Macheath
Peachum
Elizabeth Peachum
Jenny
Lockit
Lucy
Polly
Harry Filch
Jim
Jack
Prisoner
Mary Lockit
Diana
Vicky
Ingrid
Policeman
Director
Original Music Composer
Director of Photography
Adaptation
Editor
Creative Producer
Executive Producer
First Assistant Director
Second Assistant Director
Second Assistant Director
Second Assistant Director
Script Supervisor
Screenplay
Theatre Play
Theatre Play
Screenplay
Dramaturgy
Camera Operator
Camera Operator
Assistant Camera
Camera Technician
Production Design
Assistant Production Design
Lead Costumer
Costumer
Costumer
Property Master
Props
Props
Props
Makeup & Hair
Makeup & Hair
Makeup & Hair
Makeup & Hair
Assistant Editor
Sound
Sound Assistant
Production Manager
Unit Production Manager
Production Accountant
Assistant Production Manager
Assistant Production Manager
Clapper Loader
Clapper Loader
Gaffer
Still Photographer
Conductor
Music Director