The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui
The long-anticipated production of The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui has finally opened at the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford Upon Avon and it has definitely been worth the wait!
Bertolt Brecht’s satirical play tells the story of Chicago’s underworld during the 1930’s and the great depression. Amongst the sex, scandal, violence, and corruption stands Arturo Ui, it’s the perfect scenario for his scheming to take place. Feeding on the workers fear, Ui, his henchmen and associates, make threats and back-alley deals to put Ui at the height of power. Politics and the law have no way to stop them. When will this reign of terror end?
Sean Linnen’s RSC directorial debut does not disappoint. The story is fast paced, and with movement by Jennifer Jackson, we are taken on this terrifying and shocking journey of events. There are well choreographed moments throughout, and the characters individual characterisation of movement tells stories all of their own, but when added to the dialogue are even more delightful to watch.
Mark Gatiss plays the titular role of Arturo Ui, and his performance is remarkable. His characters growth from start to finish is mesmerising and an acting class of how to get it right. In particular, the scene between Ui and The Actor played by Christopher Godwin, (who also portrays Dogsborough/Priest), where Ui is seeking advice to transform himself into a great and popular public figure is skilfully delivered.
This production works for many reasons, one being that the cast work as an ensemble as well as their standout characters. Every moment blends through to the next and holds the audience’s attention unquestionably.
Mawaan Rizwan as The Barker/Giri begins the production with a light-hearted introduction and commands both the audience and the stage well before the darker side to the story becomes apparent. Rebekah Hinds as Flake/Dockdaisy masters a caricature feminine moll alongside a New York mobster superbly and LJ Parkinson as Givola has a delightful feel of Batman’s The Penguin about their performance which works incredibly well.
Georgia Lowe’s costume and set design is visually superb. The costume styles and bright colours incorporate a gangster’s playground and work wonderfully under Robbie Butler’s lighting design set against the timber frames of The Swan’s interior. The whole production is flawless.
Brecht’s story was written as a parable of its time. Chronicling the parallels of Ui’s ascent with that of Hitler’s in Nazi Germany. The corruptness of society and the lengths that Hitler’s officers have now been proven to have gone to in order to quicken their rise to power.
The terrifying reality is that politically we are still in this corrupt power struggle, perhaps in an even worse state because we should have evolved with the hindsight of historical events, but there are still people who are drawn in by the oratory speeches of those who want to gain power at any cost, mesmerising this audience by their performance, whilst the rest of us sit on the outside witnessing the dangerous reality of the absurd. We don’t have to look far to see that there are still parties who are fuelling voters’ hatred and anger without being able to deliver on the promises that really matter.
It is a bitter after thought that proves Brecht was a wonderful writer and this production is a delightful and thought-provoking necessity for the future of humanity.
This show was reviewed on the 11th of May 2026 at The RSC, Stratford upon Avon where it runs until the 30th May 2026. Tickets available here : The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui | Royal Shakespeare Company
Review written by Rachel Louise Martin
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Photo credit: Marc Brenner
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