A Riveting Rise on the Bacon Theatre Stage

Last week, The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui exploded onto the Bacon Theatre stage, delivering a gripping and thought-provoking theatrical experience. Brecht's tale of gangsters, cauliflowers, and corruption captivated the audience with its blend of intensity, absurdity, and dark humour. The 50-strong cast and crew delivered a professional production, charting Arturo Ui's chilling ascent to power—a thinly veiled allegory of Hitler's rise—highlighting the dangers of complacency and the absence of opposition.

A standout feature of the performance was the decision to split the role of Arturo Ui between three actors, offering a nuanced exploration of tyranny. James Carder-Geddes portrayed the character as a volatile businessman, commanding the stage with fiery outbursts and persuasive rhetoric. Dejan Radanovic brought a menacing gangster vibe, snarling and malevolent in a way reminiscent of Brando in On the Waterfront. Ferdi Lykke Dahn’s unhinged and erratic version added yet another layer of complexity. All three delivered commanding performances, each unique yet cohesive in bringing the dictator to life.

The supporting cast shone brightly, too. Bea Norbury’s impassioned defiance against tyranny left a lasting impression, while Mirella

Rymer brought emotional depth as the widow of a murdered mayor. Anthony Tam, Maxwell Omajuwa Oteri, and Sam Harding were suitably menacing as gangsters, and cameos by Martha King, Will Fitzgerald, and Alex Ristic were executed with flair.

Miss Dickens’ stunning set and costume designs transported the audience to 1920s Chicago, with a sinister nod to the rise of the brownshirts in Germany. The atmospheric lighting, crafted by Mr Shaw, the Senior Technician at the Bacon Theatre, further enhanced the production's immersive quality.

Bravo to the entire cast and crew for a production that was as challenging as it was entertaining—a triumph of theatre!