An irresisible hit

The National Theatre's Education Department scores an irresistible hit with this cool updating of Bertolt Brecht's The Threepenny Opera for which Kurt Weill wrote adorable music. Tim Baker's vibrant touring production does something valuable and rare. It convinces you Brecht can be serious fun: the nine-strong company play musical instruments and convey a vivid impression of low-society crooks corruptly on the make or hot for sex. The villainous Macheath is magnificently played by Michael Schaeffer as a psychopathic homme fatale who mood-swings from greasy charm to spitting fury.

Brecht's musical morality was based upon John Gay's 18th-century Beggar's Opera, which satirised contemporary politicians. Anthony Meech's book, which lacks Brecht's political pointing, sets the action during this year's jubilee. Jeremy Sams has replaced Brecht's song and ballads with terrific lyrics that reek of sardonic misanthropy.

Three Sisters