The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui
- Runtime: 150 minutes
- Director: Ben Dixon
- Lighting Design: Allan Green
- Stage Manager: Gareth Morris
by Bertolt Brecht; translated by George Tobori and Alistair Beaton
The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui charts the ascent of a small-time Chicago gangster who uses intimidation, manufactured crises and calculated charm to seize control of the city’s vegetable trade. As Ui’s influence spreads, the play shifts from dark comedy to a stark warning about how authoritarian figures rise — not through genius, but through fear, lies and the willingness of others to look away.
This production has been chosen for its bold, non-naturalistic style and its continued relevance in a world where misinformation and political manipulation remain powerful tools. It invites audiences to recognise the mechanics of tyranny and to question how such figures gain their foothold.
Content advisory: the production includes stylised violence, themes of corruption and coercion, and material that may be emotionally challenging. The young company approaches these themes with maturity and exceptional craft, offering a vivid and thought-provoking interpretation of Brecht’s cautionary tale.
DER AUFHALTSAME AUFSTIEG DES ARTURO UI © Bertolt-Brecht-Erben 1957
This translation © Bertolt-Brecht-Erben 2017
By permission of Alan Brodie Representation Ltd www.alanbrodie.com
