The Threepenny Opera
The Threepenny Opera by Bertolt Brecht was co-produced by Concordia University and the Goethe Institute of Montreal and directed by Joe Cazalet. Joe had directed numerous productions of Brecht plays and Brecht was a special area of study and research for Joe. Joe described his image for the set as a ‘Victorian, Nazi, Industrial, Capitalistic PLAYGROUND.’ The set consisted of several steel towers, stairways, and platforms that could accomodate the gymnastic activities of the performers. An elevator descended from the flies with Mack and Polly aboard in their wedding clothes. A stairway ascended into the flies (35′ above the stage) for the gang to make their first entrance. The stage was in almost constant motion. The lighting was highly theatrical.