Brecht/Weill's scintillating melodiously acerbic black comic assault on bourgeois propriety and mores, and on what Peter Brook would call deadly/dull theatre.
Jack Langedyk as Mack The Knife, Denyse Karn (fresh out of Ryerson Theatre School) as Jenny Diver, and Patrick Tierney and Anne Turnbull as Mr and Mrs Peachum delivered crucially potent performances, but truly this was an outstanding team effort, not least by a phenomenal orchestra, led by musical directors Marc Enkin and a very young Allen Cole, who also played piano. The snazzy lighting was by Stephen Plotkin, who also played drums. Kathryn Beet was our kick-ass choreographer.
Revival - (first of a 5 play subscription series season) - at the Bathurst Street Theatre
“What a high! A wonderful, grimy, Grand Guignol production – inspired throughout; part of the production’s success is the youthful insouciance and bravado of the cast. They are carried along by the director’s style and energy…”
Ray Conlogue, The Globe & Mail
“Mercury Theatre has staged a first class version…judging from the freshness that director Michaelson brings to Brecht, it’s clear Mercury still remains one of Toronto’s most compelling theatre groups.”
Henry Mietkiewicz, Toronto Star
PRODUCTION CREDITS
Directed by JM
Set Design: Ed Fielding
Lighting: Stephen Plotkin
Costumes: Denyse Karn
Musical Direction: Marc Enkin & Allen Cole.
Choreography: Kathyrn Beet
Make-up: Fran Korczaa
Production Manager: Cathy Thompson
Photography: Bruce Lam
Poster Design: David Wilson
CAST
Jack Langedyk, Denyse Karn, Patrick Tierney, Anne Turnbull, Stephanie Young, John Bourgeois, Barbara Nicholson, Joel Kaiser, Greg Blanchard, Martin Julien, Ed Fielding, Chris Kanurkas, Alvaro D'Antonio, Patrick Kelly, Dawn Ritchie, Sheri Astirino, Christine Kenwood, Donna Clasper, Eileen Lyons
Orchestra:
Marc Enkin, Allen Cole, Ernie Toller, Joe Smith, Al Gallaro, Tom Powers, Mike Zingrone, Dave Charlton, Steve Donald, Danny Douglas, Stephen Plotkin.
VIDEO CLIPS feature Ms Karn and our second Macheath…(Mr Tierney, who was our first Mr Peachum; ah, the versatility of youth!)
SONG TRACKS
(Music: Kurt Weill. Lyrics: Bertolt Brecht)
OVERTURE
https://soundcloud.com/jonmich/overture
MACK THE KNIFE
https://soundcloud.com/jonmich/mack-the-knife
BALLAD OF IMMORAL EARNINGS
https://soundcloud.com/jonmich/the-ballad-of-immoral-earnings
WHAT KEEPS MANKIND ALIVE
https://soundcloud.com/jonmich/k-three-penny-2nd-finale