Coque Malla Stars as Mackie the Knife in *The Threepenny Opera*
Coque Malla stars as Mackie the Knife in Mario Vega's critically acclaimed production of Brecht and Weill's The Threepenny Opera, playing next Sunday, February 1st, at the Auditorio de Tenerife, with tickets available online and at the box office.
Madrid singer Coque Malla leads a cast of eight actors in The Threepenny Opera, directed by Mario Vega. You can catch the show in the Symphonic Hall of the Auditorio de Tenerife next Sunday, February 1st, at 7:30 PM. Originally, the performance was only set for the proscenium stage, but high demand for tickets led to an expansion, making all seats in the hall available. This production is a collaboration involving the Auditorio de Tenerife, Teatro Pérez Galdós, unahoramenos Producciones, and Barco Pirata.
This opera, structured with a prologue and three acts, features music by Kurt Weill (1900-1950) and a script (libretto) by Bertolt Brecht (1898-1956), who collaborated with Elisabeth Hauptmann (1897-1973). It first premiered in the late 1920s, a turbulent time, offering a sharp and brutal criticism of capitalism. Mario Vega not only directs but also designed the set. Miguel Malla is in charge of musical direction, leading the seven-member band that performs the music live. The story unfolds in a grim slaughterhouse in a seedy, interwar London.
Coque Malla, famous for leading the band Los Ronaldos from 1987 to 1998, is taking on his first major acting role. He plays the iconic gangster and pimp, Mackie the Knife. The full cast includes Omar Calicchio, Andrea Guasch, Paula Iwasaki, Carmen Barrantes, Cristina García, Miquel Mars, Pablo Novoa, and Néstor Ballesteros.
Director Mario Vega explains that this production's set becomes a place "where morality is as disposable as the processed meat in Peachum's slaughterhouse." In this harsh world, he adds, "the thin line between business and crime blurs," emphasizing Brecht's message about capitalist exploitation. Vega aims for "Brechtian distancing," intentionally breaking the theatrical illusion to make the audience think critically about the irony and brutality of the world shown on stage.
During the show, Vega deliberately reveals the workings of the theatre to the audience, challenging the traditional "fourth wall." Actors change their costumes (designed by Elda Noriega) and sets openly, and stage elements are reused in ways that are both practical and symbolic within the play.
Humor is central to this production. It already has confirmed tour dates in cities including Bilbao, Murcia, Villena, Elche, La Coruña, Vitoria, Málaga, Valladolid, and El Prat de Llobregat, with a performance in Madrid scheduled for the end of the year.
The play's script avoids a serious tone, instead diving into irony, sarcasm, and dark humor. It uses exaggeration and parody to reveal the hypocrisy of both the characters and the system they live under. The music is another highlight. Miguel Malla, known for his many film, theatre, and television soundtracks, has created new arrangements for Kurt Weill's original score. For The Threepenny Opera, he has given the musical numbers a playful, rebellious feel that stays true to the spirit of the original.
The orchestra isn't just background music; it acts as another storyteller, interacting with the characters and stepping in at important moments. This further enhances the "distancing effect," allowing the music to not only accompany the action but also to comment on and critique it. The eight-member band includes Gabriel Marijuan (trumpet and percussion), Daniel Rouleau (alto saxophone, clarinet, and flute), Evgeni Riechkalov (trumpet), Roberto Bazán (trombone and double bass), Miguel Malla (tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone, and clarinet), Néstor Ballesteros (keyboard), Pablo Novoa (guitars and banjo), and Carmen Barrantes (cello).
Tickets are available online at www.auditoriodetenerife.com. You can also buy them at the box office from Monday to Friday, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and on Saturdays, 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Alternatively, call 902 317 327 during these same hours. Discounts are offered.