The ever-inventive Kneehigh return with their blazing new show. Fasten your seat belts; it’s going to be one hell of a night!
Mayor Goodman has been assassinated. Contract killer Macheath has just married Pretty Polly Peachum and Mr and Mrs Peachum aren’t happy. Not one bit.
Based on The Beggar’s Opera, John Gay’s classic musical satire, Dead Dog in a Suitcase (and other love songs) is bursting with wit, wonder and weirdness. An extraordinary cast of actor musicians shoot, hoot and shimmy their way through this twisted morality tale of our times… by turns shocking, hilarious, heartfelt and absurd!
Echoing Gay’s original, the live score plunders the sounds of our times. Trip hop combines with folk, Renaissance polyphony with psychedelia, ska with grime and dubstep to create a gorgeous and powerful musical mix.
What the HELL is the world coming to?
This is now, this is it
the world is poor and man’s a shit
the game is rigged, nothing’s truer
Death’s a joke and life’s a sewer!
Listen to what audiences have been saying about Dead Dog in a Suitcase:
“Kneehigh’s version of The Beggar’s Opera is brought bang up to date and couldn’t be more enthralling… Inventive… Excellent stuff.” – Daily Post Wales
“This brilliant musical satire delivers a forceful and hefty theatrical punch… One of the best ensembles I have seen for some time.” – North West End
“You don’t realise quite how much this play has grabbed you till the closing moments. Absolutely brilliant. Another fantastic example of the quality theatre that HOME is bringing to Manchester.” – Quiet Man Dave
“Wild and anarchic and often very funny… The cast works as a perfect ensemble. It’s all very entertaining… Very much of and for our time. ” – British Theatre Guide
“★★★★ A compelling piece of theatre… One of the most joyful experiences you’ll have in a theatre this year.” – Haus of Phag
“An exceptional piece of theatre not to be missed… The finale is truly explosive, whipping the audience into an immediate standing ovation.” – Canal Street
“Kneehigh’s reputation precedes them: we are well-prepared to be dazzled by what we see, [and] we are not disappointed. A mesmerising slice of theatre.”- Bouquets and Brickbats
“★★★★ Fun and entertaining, it’s comedy veering towards the anarchic, black and absurd. The puppetry is put to fantastic use… Kneehigh’s style is exuberant, rough and ready, and is bursting at the seams with creativity.” – The Public Reviews
“★★★★ A stellar cast… Director Mike Shepherd has pulled out exceptional performances throughout… With Labour announcing that the ‘leftie’ Jeremy Corbyn will lead them into the next election, perhaps Dead Dog is the opera for our times. Funny, fabulous and fucking horrible.” – Northern Soul
“Vibrant… A hit, a must-see.” – Jildy Sauce
“Strong performances abound… A genuinely powerful ensemble performance. It’s an evening that is continually fascinating.” – Oldham Evening Chronicle
“★★★★ A merciless theatrical onslaught on the eternal theme of the human capacity for greed and corruption.” – The Stage
“★★★★ Plenty of great performances and many memorable moments… Impressive.” – The Skinny
“★★★★ Fabulously crazy characters, great dialogue, delightful set design, flashes of genius in the stage craft… Be prepared to be blown away.” – The Good Review
“As the show ends, the audience jumps to its feet en masse for an uproarious standing ovation.” – Cultural Shenanigans
“★★★★ Madcap mastery and jukebox hijinks…Bright, bold and timeless.” – The Guardian
“★★★★ A riot… Would I go and see this again? Like a shot.” – The Times
“★★★★★ A stunning explosion of theatrical pyrotechnics.” – The Morning Star
