In 2003, Greene Shoots Theatre made its Edinburgh debut at The Garage Theatre, Grindlay Street Court, after a successful
run of Brecht's The Resistible Rise
of Arturo Ui in December 2002 in The Deans
Hall, Berkhamsted. Steph Kirton's adaptation for an ensemble of twenty-eight performers fused projections
with tight chorus work to create a powerful impact.
THE RESISTIBLE RISE OF ARTURO UI
★★★★
Greene Shoots Theatre
Garage
Theatre, 11-16 Aug, 10:40am (11:55am), £7.00 (£5.00) This
is a mesmerising adaptation of Brecht's classic, performed by an impeccable cast of young performers in a venue that embodies
the spirit of the Fringe. The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui is an allegory set in 1920s Chicago that mimics Al Capone's
reign of terror and parallels it with Hitler's rise to power in 1930s Germany. Tim Rees as Arturo Ui, is a master of menacing
noir with a perfected gangster drawl. He gives a confident and competent performance and is supported by a slick chorus of
talented individuals. The projected images from Nazi Germany that illuminate the sides of the stage tie these two histories
together to produce the chilling reminder that in the face of apathy, the horrors from history will be repeated. [cmw] Three
Weeks 2003
THE RESISTIBLE RISE OF ARTURO UIThe world was almost won by such an ape!
The nations put him where his kind belong.
But don't rejoice
too soon at your escape –
The womb he crawled from is still going strong.
In this production projected pictures
and text link and explain the relationship between the parody and reality in an extremely effective way. For Brecht, the Nazis
were (at least at the start) merely useful (if distasteful) tools of the Capitalists. The overall message is speak instead
of gape, act instead of talk. The young cast performs with verve and passion. They are particularly effective when they join
together in dance-like routines, chanting as one. It makes an impact. Patrick Harrington Counter Culture Magazine 2003
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