Threepenny Opera storms into Auckland (+video)

The Threepenny Opera opens tonight at Auckland's Maidment Theatre - at its original 1928 premiere it blew Berlin apart.It was modern, sexy, full of urgent anti-capitalist politics, and had hit tunes but with brutally honest and shockingly street-wise lyrics.Regarded as one of the most influential dramatic works of the twentieth century, the music and songs (including the Ballad of Mack the Knife) are seminal to the development of musical theatre and jazz.The eighteenth century world of thieves, pimps, and whores is cast in a mythical Victorian London and played as a decadent Weimar cabaret.The show runs from 30th May - 21st June at the Maidment Theatre in Auckland.- NZ HERALD STAFF