h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Although, of the works I've seen/heard, Street Scene seems to be his greatest achievement, the Threepenny Opera seems to have entered the public consciousness the most. Has anyone in the UK seen the recent National Theatre production? It has a blistering semi-new translation and Weill's music is heard in all its glory, with the instruments being played by members of the cast. 'Mack the Knife' is truly marvellous, but the rest of the score is seriosuly under-rated. Mr and Mrs Peachum's duet about Kids, the Jealousy Duet etc. have music that perfectly matches the intention of the lyrics. Yes, I'm wittering, but the Threepenny Opera deserves to be seen and is, dare I say it, much better than the Beggar's Opera which inspires it. David

I have to admit to not really being that keen on 'Street Scene', there's obviously some great songs in it, but I've yet to get my head round the work as a whole. I probably need to listen to listen to it a bit more carefully.

With you all the way about the Threepenny Opera, though. I missed the NT production (I don't live in the U.K., so it's not that easy) and also the Donmar Warehouse production a few years back, and I'm mighty pissed off! But it's quite right that some of the lesser known bits are awesome. For instance, my hubby's fave bit of Weill ever is the 'Pimp's Tango' that Mackie and Jenny sing.

That's why it's a pity if Weill continues to be known only for songs and not complete works: so much great stuff gets neglected. I do think this is changing, though, because there's an ever increasing band of enthusiasts (like me!) out there that want to hear the full works.