The Threepenny Opera | Topics for Further Study
Compare the plot of The Threepenny Opera with the plot of John Gay's 1728 The Beggar's Opera. Macheath is more villainous in Brecht's version, and Lockit (a Newgate prison chief in Gay's play) has transformed into Jackie Brown, a corrupt sheriff and old army buddy of Macheath's. Consider also the differences in language and staging. What is the significance of the changes Brecht made to Gay's work?
The "alienating effects" of Brecht's staging have become standard fare in modern drama. Does this lessen their impact on contemporary audiences? Why or why not?
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