The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui

Bertolt Brecht’s 1941 classic The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui is returning to the Sydney Theatre Company’s stage to present a modern twist on the rise of dangerous forces.

Officially telling the story of the rise of Hitler and fascism, they have adapted the story so audiences of today can relate. Actor, Mitchell Butel said,

“This current version is set now, so it’s about the rise of dangerous forces, a bit about Trump dare I say – when you let people who have very flamboyant and persuasive voices and who don’t really have the best of intentions and bad forces start to rise.”

Brecht’s aim in all his plays was to make the audience consider what they were watching and this play confronts audiences with the issues of politics.

“The main issue in this play is that we all have corruption in our life and we all have a responsibility to try and do the right thing in every situation,” Butel said. “It’s teaching us a lesson but at the same time it does so in a very entertaining, scary and comic way which is cool.”

Butel will be embodying two characters – a theatre director who is silly and a corrupt business man.

“Arturo is from the wrong side of the track and wants to learn how to talk properly, so he gets this actor/director in to train him, kind of like how politicians today have voice coaches or performance coaches, so that’s quite a funny scene. The other character is a corrupt business man in beautiful suits, so it’s good I get to wear quite a few hats in this one.”

“The play itself is good, we have great actors and a great director, but the style of it is true to Brecht but also incredibly suspenseful and incredibly unique which will be good for our audiences.” Butel concluded.

Mar 21-Apr 28. Roslyn Packer Theatre, 22 Hickson Road, Walsh Bay. $83.00+b.f. Tickets & info: www.sydneytheatre.com.au

By Jade Morellini