Premiering a year after their landmark hit The Threepenny Opera, Kurt Weill, Bertolt Brecht and Elisabeth Hauptmann’s anti-capitalist musical comedy tells the unlikely love story of gangster Bill Cracker and Salvation Army Lieutenant Lillian Holiday. Happy End roars with Weill’s musical genius and charismatic jazz-influenced style, boasting some of Weill and Brecht’s most iconic songs. 

Following their triumphant collaboration on Tom Waits and William S. Burroughs’ The Black Rider: The Casting of the Magic Bullets (2017), this new production of Weill’s musical reunites director Matthew Lutton and musical director Phoebe Briggs.

Witness a remarkable ensemble in this rarely staged gem of the 20th century. 

MUSICAL / CABARET

Arts Centre Melbourne, Playhouse

Wednesday 23 March 2022, 7.30 pm
Thursday 24 March 2022, 7.30 pm 
Friday 25 March 2022, 7.30 pm
Saturday 26 March 2022, 1.00 pm, 7.30 pm

1 hour 50 minutes, plus one interval

Sung in English

Warning: This production contains strong language, adult themes (including murder), imitation firearms, and loud music.

Now on sale

Subscriptions are now available until Thursday 31 March 2022, COB.

Single Tickets on sale now.

In-theatre Subscription $35-$104

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Get to know the sound of Happy End with our Spotify playlist.

Ticket Concierge

Do you need assistance with your ticket booking? We are here to help. Visit our Ticket Concierge and tell us how we can help you. We will take care of the rest. 

Accessible Seating Tickets

All Arts Centre Melbourne venues contain accessible seating for those with access requirements and their companions. 

For those with limited mobility we recommend contacting our team for assistance to discuss the number of stairs required to navigate from the foyers, the entry doors and when inside the auditorium to your seat. This information varies for each of our venues. Please call Arts Centre Melbourne for assistance with your booking and recommendations to best meet your needs.

Subscription booking line: 1300 822 849
Single ticket bookings: 1300 182 183

More Access options and further information can be found on the Arts Centre Melbourne website.

Keeping you safe

The safety of our audience and team is paramount. COVID-safe procedures will be adhered to for every performance. Our venue partner, Arts Centre Melbourne, has worked diligently to develop their COVIDSafe & Wellbeing Plan.

If you or a member of your household is unwell or displaying COVID-19 symptoms before a performance, please stay home. To exchange or refund your tickets due to feeling unwell, contact our ticketing team at ticketing@victorianopera.com.au or phone (03) 9001 6412 (Monday to Friday, 10 am - 5 pm) prior to your performance.

Composer Kurt Weill
Lyrics Bertolt Brecht
Book Elisabeth Hauptmann
English Adaptation Michael Feingold
Conductor Phoebe Briggs
Director Matthew Lutton
Set and Costume Designer Marg Horwell
Lighting Designer Paul Jackson
Soundscape Designer David Franzke
Sound Designer Sam Moxham

Orchestra Victorian Opera Chamber Orchestra

Cast

Bill Cracker (Beerhall Bill) Adam Murphy
Lieutenant Lillian Holiday (Hallelujah Lil) Lucy Maunder
The Lady in Gray (The Fly) Ali McGregor
Mr Truppo (The Governor) Kurt Kansley
Sam Wurlitzer Euan Fistrovic Doidge
Jimmy Dexter (The Reverend) Hamish Johnston
Bob Marker (The Professor) Ben Grant
Johnny Flint (Baby Face) Ras-Samuel Welda'abzgi
Major Stone Jennifer Vuletic
Brother Jackson Richard Pyros
Sister Mary Emily Burke
Sister Jane Olivia Cranwell

Ensemble

Benjamin Barker, Lachlan Bartlett, Alastair Cooper-Golec, Anne Gasko, Chiew-Jin Khut, Adam Lyon, Bridget Mylecharane, Anna-Lee Robertson