The Threepenny Opera

Preparations for a wedding are under way in London’s underworld. Macheath, a charming and extremely dangerous criminal, is about to marry Polly Peachum—against the wishes of her parents. The Peachums are no angels themselves, though, and know the city’s dark corners better than anyone. When the marriage comes to light, a merciless power game begins: who will betray whom, who will buy whom, and can love survive in a world where everything is for sale and morality is a matter of money? Just as the noose tightens and the end seems inevitable, something happens that should never happen—but does anyway…

The Threepenny Opera is the legendary masterpiece by Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill that revolutionised theatre in the early 20th century. It shattered illusion, blended cabaret, opera and political satire, and forced audiences to look at the world without polished backdrops. Its iconic songs (recorded in their own versions by, among others, Frank Sinatra, Nina Simone, Louis Armstrong and Nick Cave), its remarkable cast of characters and its sharp humour expose the structures of society in a way that is as entertaining as it is merciless.

Today, The Threepenny Opera still hits painfully close to home. The power of money, class conflict and the cruel consequences of inequality have not disappeared—they have merely changed form. On the main stage of Lahden kaupunginteatteri, directed by theatre director Lauri Maijala, this classic comes to life as a biting, impassioned musical that reveals what our welfare is built on, and who ultimately always pays for it. Under Lauri Maijala’s direction, iconic songs, a remarkable cast of characters and sharp humour expose these structures with gleeful brutality.

Premiere: 9 September 2026
Main Stage

Original work: Bertolt Brecht (text) and Kurt Weill (music), in collaboration with Elisabeth Hauptmann
Director: Lauri Maijala
Conductor: Antti Vauramo
Set design: Minna Välimäki
Costume design: Joona Huotari-Andreou
Choreography: J enni Nikolajeff
Lighting design: Kari Laukkanen
Sound design: Tommi Raitala
Make-up design: Anu Reijonen

Cast: Annukka Blomberg, Tomi Enbuska, Jori Halttunen, Henrik Hammarberg (guest), Laura Huhtamaa, Mikko Jurkka, Vilma Kinnunen, Aurora Manninen, Saana Rautavaara (guest), Nenna Tyni, Henna Wallin, Veeti Vekola

Image: Raana Lehtinen
Running time: approx. 2 h 45 min, including an interval
Recommended for audiences aged 15 and over.

Performance rights: Nordic Drama Corner Oy / Universal Edition AG
In collaboration with Stora Enso / Outi Honkavaara