The Threepenny Opera After Jobn Gay: The Beggar's Opera CCllaboetre E, Heupemana,K. Well “Teasatoc: Ralph Meni and John Wiltscar called Mac the Krife rope of Bagger Famdba cma reson his wife ou escent i ager ov High Sherif of Landon ey, he daughter Prologue The Ballad of Mac the Knife Fairin Soko “The beggars are begging, the thieves are sealing, the rbores avevwhoring. A ballad singer sing a bald See the shire wih eh ke razors. Al an rend is open face. ‘And Machesti has got kif, but ‘Not in such an obvious place. See the shark how red hi in are Ashe sashes aris prey. Kae the Kafe wears (Give the minimum away. re kid gloves which By the Thames turbid waters Men abruptly tumble down. Iseplague orisiccholers? Ocalsign Machesth'sin town? Ona bestia blue Sunday Seca corp terched i the Strand, See man dadge round the comer. Mack's friends will understand, ‘And Schaal Meier, eporeed mising Like so many wealthy men: Mack the Knife sequired fis ssh bo. God ale knows how oF when,cee ee Sine 148 Tho Thneepenny Opera (Pec got sing srs ae fom ef ah ‘Sib aed daughter) smilies Jony Towler rtned up te ‘Witte ack crc ber breast ‘While Mcheath wale the Embalmene Nonchalsly unimpressed Whee i Alfred Glee the exbn? Who cn get tht scry cle? Allthe world may know th answer Suse Macher to de ‘And he ghey ir in Sobo— Seren children a go Inthe crowd sends Ma he Kaif, bute Innrasked nd doe't know. And th child bride ine nightie ‘Whose silane rge Violated in er dnbers— Mack, how mach di you change? (Laughver omong the whore. A man steps ont from their ids ond clk quickly ony aren the square) Low-owe yesxy That was Mac the Kaif! ACT ONE To combat the increasing callousness of mankind, J. eachum, businessman, has opened a shop where the poorest of the poor can acquire an exterior that will touch the hardest of hearts, Jonathon Jeremiah Peachum’s ouftsng shop for Beggars ‘You ramshackle Chistian 2waket Goon with your sinful employment Show what an old erook you eould make The Lard willsoon co your enjoyment. ecray your own brother, you rogue ‘Andsell your old woman, you rt You thik the Lord God's jus a joke? Hell give you His Judgment on tae. racist (to the audience) Something must be done. My ‘snes & roo hard, for my busines is arousing human Srey, Tee fo ngs a lo 2 Yee, bue ehe Wouble-w War after repetad ‘heeamerc Hecae-a fas the aol gt of Being aie to deaden-his elings a wil so to speak: Suppose, for insta, a man sees another min sanding on the corner with a sump for an arm; che Gist Sine he may be shocked rough to give him teapence, bur the second time ie will only be Sepenee, and if he ees him athied ime hel hand50 The Theepenay Opera lim over to the police without batting an eyelash. I the ‘sme with the spsiual approach. (A large sin saying Te Js-more blsed to give dan 10 receee” i lowered from the {rid) What good are the most beautfl, che mort poigoant Syings pinted on the mor enticing Isle signs, when they igetexpended so quickly? The Bible has four o Give sayings ‘ater the heart once a man has expended them, there's nothing for it but starvation. Take this one, for istance— ie and i shall be given wato hreadbare i [safer banging here a mere three wesks. Yes, you have to [keep on offering something new. So it's back to the good. ‘old Bible again but how long can it go om providing? (Knocking: Peachuoe opens. Enter a young men by se name ofFilch) stett Messrs, Peschum & Co? eacintPeachan uct Are you the proprietor ofthe “Beggst's Friend Le”? Te been seat to yox. Fine sagen you've got there! Mansy in the bank, that js. Gor-x whole Hbrary full of them, suppose? ‘That's what [call relly something. What chance hata bloke like me got to think up idee, and how ean busines ours withouedeston? racist What's your nares tc vite Tes lke this Mr. Peach T've been down on my luck since I was « boy. My mother drank, my father gambled. Lefe to my own reiources at an early age, without a mothers tender hand, I sank deeper and deeper into the ‘ielsands ofthe big city. Fve never mown s father’s care Gr the Blesings of « happy home. So now you see me reacrone So now Isee you eat (confused)... bereft of all suppor, a prey to my ‘ate instincts, rescione Like a delice on the high seas and so on. Now tell me, derelict, which distice have you been reciting that fairy ory in suet” What do you mean, Mr. Peschun? Pract You deliver that speech in publi, ¥ take ie riven Wel, t's like this, Mr. Peacham, yesterday there was ‘an unpleasine litle incident in Highland Stet. There Tm, Seene 1 ast standing on the comer quiet and miserable, holding out my hat, no suspicion of anything nasty. ‘nvactone (leafs tBrongh ¢ notebook) Highland Stret. Yes, Yes, right. You're the bastard that Honey and Sam caught Yesterday. You had the impudence tobe molesting passersby fn Dice ro, We let you of with a tvasing because we, ta reson to elie you didnt know what’ what. Bat if you show your face again il be the ax for you. Got it ruc Pless, Mr, Peachm, plese. What can T do, Me Peach? ‘The gentlemen bent me black and blue and chen ‘hey gave me your busses card. IF1 took off my’ coat, you'd think you were looling fish on as. rexcivat My friend, if you dort Took like # Bloster, then my men haven been doing their job. Along come these Young whippersnappers, imagining they've only got to hold fe thei paws to land a ste Whit would you say if fomebody started fishing the bast erout out of Your pond? vest Tee like this, Me-Peachum—Laven'tgot a pond eacnent License are ised to. profenionls onl. (Points ‘na busine wey 20 4 ap ofthe city) Landon i divided jnto fourteen disrice, Any man who inends fo practice the erafe of begging in any of them needs « Koense from Jonathan Jeremiah Beacham &'Co. Why, anybody could ‘ome slong—a prey this base instinct visit” Me, Pescham, only «few slings send between me ‘nd utter ruin, Something muse be done, With ewo slings inmy pockerI encttOa One pound. rier Me, Peschum! (Points implorinaly at «sign styag “Do not tum a deaf ‘arto misery Pescbuom point to the curtain over show ie, on whic is cavitton “Give and i sbll be gen unto your”) sic Ten bob resciunt Plas fifty percent of your tke, Sele up once a week, With out seveney percent ruc What does he ove consis of? sencwn Thats forthe fim to decide ett Whit derict could [sr in?gs The Thueepeany Opera reacioat Baker Saeet, Numbers 2 to 10g. That comes even cheaper. Only Sfty perent, including the oui. rica Very well. 2 pays) Peactoxe Your name? uct” Charles ich Pracions Right. (Sbouee) Mas, Peachum! (Ure. Perch ‘entes) This is Flch. Number thee-foureen, Baker Steet ‘rit. TM do bis entry: myself, Trost you pick this ‘moment to apply, just before the Coronation, when for ‘once ina ifecine thers chince of making a litle some- fing. Outfc C. (Fe opens a lnew curtsin before « show. ‘ease asic thor are foe ote davies) rico Whats tha? » eicivne Those are the fve basic types of misery, those ‘most likely to tech the Kaman heat. The sight of such ‘ype puts man ito chat unnatural ste where hei willing to part with money, Oct A: Viet of the tric spesd-up. The merry expple, rays cheerful (be ats ou), always entre, emphasized by armstump, Gute B: Vii of the Higher Strategy. The Tireome ‘Trembler, moles pasersby, operates By inspiring nausea (heats it ou), attenuated by medal (Outéc C: Vietim of modern Technology. The Pisful Bnd “Man, the Cordon Bleu of Beggary. (He act it out, sag- ering toward Fich. The moment be bumps ito Fieb, ich cries ow in borror. Pecchu stops at once, looks st ive saith amazes end suddenly roars) He's sorry for sme! Youll over be a beggar as long at you live! You're Jonly ft co be begged from! Very wel, outfit D! Celi, {youve been drinking spun. And nnw you can't se sraght ‘Number one-hir-six has complained sbowt his out. How ‘often do T have to tll you that a genleman does’ pat on fichy clothes Number one-thiry-six paid for a brand-new ‘uit The only thing abost tha could inspite pity was the Suns and they should have been added by just Honing in candle wax. Use your head! Have I got to do everything myself (To Filcb) Take off your clothes and por tis on, ‘but mind you, look after! riot Whit above my things? Practuse Property of the fm. Ouefe B: young man who hs seen better days of, if you'd rather, never thought ie ‘would cameo tis ret Oh you tse them again? Why ext I do the beer diysact? 1a nc soody ean make is on ing snd "omincay wy yo eres baie aay 7 sere EE Pbeujacl Anjos), yoo no be Tee quesdons bor to par these things on ri Aa thy rer ye ter Peron Br gee sae Ene Se eps no Sag ne i ngyou ruc Cons estat) etm not hog mythos of Se eee eae drop ihe whole tence Tey ey ey ae eee pe ante sain whsctuht Stop drveling. We all now your fete are e. rt er spn mwah ny een wae) we tewo” Pog? Ups excuum Has ‘hae man been ‘here again? The one who al- cone ved wen Ton eer Beat be pido, Jota, she's San The Copan as ral te iO iy ta Andi Tv go bal an je in yb, Ply rE hey you chuck your droge snd a eas nae: Wg fay ee eT de opin a ae Sear er dun oe ep bel a? A ten era lsc ee dae! Ta hicenee ‘ sy. The Threepenny Opes ees! Do you think your daughter can holder tongue inbed any baer chan you? suas rescntne A Bae opinion of your dsugher you hav esctnt The wor The very wor. Amp of sail tats whatshele = suns react If, she dee ge from you. escrune Mariage! T expect ay daoghter 0 be 0 me a tread to the hungry (be le i ie BooB), exer Se “rire Biers. Anyway marae is desing Tilteach er o get atid sans. racsst Jonata, you're jus urban. Peacoat Bato! Win hs elem nine? fas. rescnone "They ever all iat ayehing bot “the Coptin” rss So you haven't even ased him his same? In ereing ss rracrone We woulda be so ade ato as hin for his Trt eerfene when fs so daingised and invited the to of othe Cutefh Hotel for ile hp. esc Where? ds resemine To the Coe fora le bop ‘escront CaptaiCalefish Hore Hii ams mucin A gendeman who has shuns handel my roger and me wit id glove. ars. acuta “Te gue tu, he alunys does wear glove, ‘hit oes white il ploves rexcnuat T see. White gles and a cane with an ivory Tande and sus and fcatieuher shows md st ove powering penalty an scar ate acti Op e-necle What en’ hee any you Souk ino rs from Bb te sre) riictMe, Peach, code you give me some py Te aways believed in having a system and’ aot jx eboting af ny mouth any od how ness nace Aspen! osctont Let him be hlé-wit, Come back chi evening at Sx, wel eich you the rudiments. Now ela ott! Some. 155 inne ‘Thank you very much indeed, Mr. Peachum, Many thanks. (Gaei out) reaceone Fify percent!—And now TIL tell you who this gentleman with the gloves is—Mac the Knife! (He rams ip he stars to Palys bedroom) sens, rracrone "God in Heaven! Mac the Kaifet Lord alive! For wha we are about t receive, the Lord Polly! What's become of Polly? (Peach comes down soy) encitvat Polly? Bolly’s not come home. Her bed is un- touched. ns. DeaciuM Then she's gone to supper with that wool ‘erchaat. That ei ‘encttom Let shope to God isthe woo! merchant! (tr and Abr, Beacon step before the cursin and sng Song Fighting: golden glow. The organ lt wp. Three lpr ae lowered from above on pole, aad the ign say) ‘The "No They Can't” Song No, they can't Bear to hea home all racked upeghtin bed Tes fan they wane You can bet they've got some faney notions brewing up instead So that's your Mon over Soho “Thats your infernal "you fe my hear esting?” ie. ‘Thats che ofd "wherever you go Tall be with you, honey” ‘When you fie fll a love and the moonbeams shine 'No,they ox't See whats good for them nd set thei mind one156 "The Theepenny Opes ; es fon they wane So they end up on thei rss in the shit. T where's your Moan over Sob? ‘What's come af your infernal "you fe! my here bering? bi : Where's the old “wherever you go I shall be with you, honey"? ‘When you're no more in love and you're in th sit, king's daughter : Bere Stabe exer (loot a ‘nybody's here! (Gecheoc enters and minke e tour ofinpsction along the flights) sacuexr “Well isanybody here? Marnuew Nota sou. Jost the place for our wedding out (enters in edding dress)” ues able! sac’ Si nde a the feed-bin for the momen to share my ife with me child fom his home sac Who's Me. Peach? Deep in the heart of Soho the bandit Mac the Knife i cclebrating his marriage vo Poly Peichum, the beggar of the Mins, olds out bis revoloer. ‘and examines the room ith a later) Fey, hands wp if “Today this sable will wines! my marrage t0 Miss Polly Peachum, who hat followed me fo lve in order sarnumw All over London theyll be siying this isthe most ‘ating job you've ever pulled, enticing Mr. Peachom’s only Seene 2357 oars Hell tll you he's the poorest man in London, rouex But you surely dn’ intend fave our wedéng bere? ‘Why, itr common sable. You can’ aa the vier to.a pce ike this Beside, ie even ours. We zaly ought {o sar our new life with « burglary, Mac. Why, ths is the bigger day of ou if ac) Dest child everyting shall be done as you wish. We ‘ate have you embarrased in any way. The mn wre herein moment vy * sare Thl be the friar. (Large vent are bord driving up, Half « dosen men come in carrying carpets frit, dibs, tt abcd they osform the sable ito an eeggiatedy hoes room) wc. Jon (Cie genlemen put the preonts down let, congraate Ibe bride end report tote bridegroom)? sake (inoton as Crook fingered Jats) Congrerlaionst Ae ty Ginger Serer there were some people on he second oor. Wehad ro amok them ox. son (Unoxon as Bob tbe Sire) Congracltions! A. copper got amped inthe Scan eso Amateurs. ‘ib. We did ll we could, buts people i the West End "were past sving.Congrtlagon! seh Amour and bangles Son -An old gent got hare a it bat 1 dont eink ies sting serous Congtlaons. seac My onders wore avoid bloodshed. emule me sik to think of ie. You'll never make besinesmen! Canal, ye, ‘warn (mou ar Dresry Walt) Congeatalations. Only half fo hoor ago, madam, that barpechord belonged t0 the Duchess of Somer. ose What ts frtresayway? 3c How do yo ike th faritre, Pally? ox (n om) "Those por peop all for afew wicks of faite “The ates inthe ten elerohe in for Asn” pe158 The Theepemny Opera ‘Mje__And whit fui! Junkt You have a perfect righ to te angry. A rosewood harpichord wih Renalsance sf ‘That unforgivable Wharsbour sable? waren AG (Thy iy some pln oer be bins) roux Of, Mac, Im so misenble! 1 only hope the vier does come ari” OF couse fell come, We gave him exact vitae (rodices the rable) Able! ic (eng Polly in tears) My wef very much wpe ‘Whete are the ret of te citi? A harpachord and no iain! Use your beas! For once Tim having 2 wedding. fd ow often does tht happen? Shc up, Bruty! Hoe tften does i happen at Cleave you to do someting on your ovn? And wien T do you rake my wife uaheppy ghtarte sare 7 Dear Polly... ‘uc (nook Bi bet of is Bead)* “Dest Ply”! TH bash your head cough your Kidneys with your “dear Pally You si, Have you ever head che He? “Dear Pol L ppose you've bec ob wi at route Mac! Bio Tevet warren Dea madam, if any items of fori shuld! be Taking, wellbeonly to lato go bck end sasc_-Atorewood harpchord and no chai (Caught) Speak. ing «bride what do you sy to tat?» routyIeeouldte wore, ‘ac ‘Two chin and a sofa and the bridal couple has to sit onthe or, routy ‘Somebing new, Fay. Mac (iarly) "Gee the Tee sawn off his harpsichord Goon! OUR NE (atte be harpsichord ad sng) Bil Lawgen and Mary Syer ‘Were made min and wife « week ago. ‘When twas over and they exchanged kiss . Seane 259 He wa thinking “Whose wedding dees was this While his name was thing she would have ized eo know. Hooray! ‘watren, The ial res adm: theres your bench sic May Taow ak the gentlemen take Off tase fithy ‘age and put on some decent clothes? After all his anybody’ wedding. Polly, may Task you to lok after she ete "GLY I thi oor weg fo? Whee whol tte, Mace suicOfcoune. OF course rout T wonder what you wil do if thee’s «knock a the oor ad the hei ia sacl Til show you what your husband wil doin sch a arn T coal’ happen noday. The mounted potice are all sure to be a Daventry. Tayi be wearing the Quece back tum for Fray’s Coronation vouty, “Two inves and fours fers! One kif pe it. Wh incompetence! That the wer of aprentces, to experienced me! Haves you any ese of sve? Fay et howing te fees been Chippers aL (The gong comer back. The gentlemen ere nos ‘ssring fationble evening dre, but unforantly the moe, men ar not hepng sb) watren "We only wanted to brag the mas valle su, Look at he wood! Realy seca Marra» Sst Sat Perms Capa ‘ne Polly come here iat (ites Poly anon tbe pose of «couple prepared to rete conga) : lif in the bloom of your ‘carer of rather the ung into oer you our max ispenable and sche sae Sime mest sincere congratulation, ad sofort That Sl don fal mie We sek Soo cu long ay one (hes Aas band) —teep si upper ip od mace169 "The Threepenny Opers nc Thank you, chat was kind of you, Mathe Marsuew (baking Polly's band after embracing Mac sth ‘omotion) Te vas spoken from the hear allright. Anyway, eep asf upper Up, old gil I mean (grimting) he shoald sep ie si. (Haws of laughter from tbe guess. Suddenly Mac sith « deje movement sands Matibew to the floor) esc Sh your trap, Keep that Sh for your Kt, she's che ind of st ha appresiesi. out Mac, don beso vulgar. Searrwew Here, I don’ Ie dat. Calling Kity a slur (Geandsup sith ified) cao Obya0 you Jn’ like tha? Narenew. And besder, never wse filthy language with he. T respect Kiya lot wo much for that. ut maybe you ‘wouldite undestand chit, the way you are. You're a fine tne to tall abou filth, Do you thiake Lucy didnt tell me the things you've told her? Compared to tha, Tm a kid ove (tes sores at Bi) sone Cot icon, thisisa weddiog. (They pull him assy) ac. Fine wedding ie it, Polly? Having to see sh tke this around you on the day of your marriage. You would't fave thought your husbands fiends would lt him dovn so Lesitbe son you. sotty Teh nice rowiar Bhmmey. Nobodys ling you down. What's a dit ference of opinion berween fiends? Your Kitty's as good ts the next gr, But now bring ovt your wedding preset, sun Yesshanditover! arma (offepded) Here Feuer. Oh, 2 wedding present, How kind of you, ME. Mate of the Mine. Look, Mac, what a lovely nighegown. Darrian Another bi of fh eb, Coptain? as. Forget it Tdidae mean to hare your felings on this festive occasion. atten What do you say to this? Chippendale! (Fe soils ‘nv enormous Chippendale grandfather clock) Scene 268 s tondecfal 1m so happy. Words fl me. Yo "a unbelewbly Hs Ons Macy Ie tame we have eats poet se" Hm, tea sarin the righ dean, The grt thing ‘ve get mured Thank you Kindy, Waker Go on, cea thos vay cove Food! aes (eb te best setng the tbl) Tras me t0 ‘oe empeylunde gun. Intel 9 Poly) Bee me, Sfoug gy nd ems resin scleSedaeant mater in the lass Mr. Crook Sgered Jak Jena Here are the boys Bnglg prs righ and let and ine ding hee lit a foot Wat a sunton eo bein Tes oayr dewey with me, Stuadoos 15 enough to make Son hat stand on end. The oer day T meet Low-Dive Jems wel Tay you ol cow, (Stddenly be ses Mae amlng bind bit oe ger of stbout word) nine ees Ply 10 ber place) This isthe bes food you te tday, Polly Gentlemen! (Ast dv othe eng feu so Geting the china) Beal dss Sovoy Hoe Jace The pve egy are fv Sedge There was spe used to bes buck of fle gas Bot inn’ ei on he AR. ees mad Besse Bd le swat We don aboot holo ia pole soi Yow Dont bole the eggs He tha Ned ot on day ike ‘tis suse Could’ somebody sng someting? Someting de- ice anna” (choking wih lnghter) Someing deecabl? MTrace's fsa wor, (Fe ss dow i enbarranent ander Mav's ibering alce) suse noes bet of romeone’ band) i intent "Gears excng yo. send of seeing you peopl wade ‘aig ce the hy [would hve Hed ie some ‘Bing for the here That hat other people Jo on an seston ite sate What, for instance INE Am rupposed co tink of everything mysel? Tm not