The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui

Author(s):

Arturo Ui is a 1930s Chicago mobster and this is a story about his rise to power by getting rid of his opponents in ruthless ways. There are parallels with the characters in the play and in real life.
Format: Brecht’s epic style of theatre
Cast Size: Samuel French version: 30M/5F; Methuen Drama version: 25M/4F plus 1M/F
Running time: 2 hours 30 minutes with one intermission

Snapshot

Notes:

The play was written by Brecht in only three weeks in 1941 whilst in exile in Helsinki, Finland awaiting a visa to enter the U.S. It was not produced on the stage until as late as 1958, and not until 1961 in English. In spite of this, Brecht never envisioned a version of the play in Germany, intending it for the American stage all along. See also, Drama Online.

Original or Prominent Production: 1958
Original Source Material: Every scene in the play is based on a real event.
Nationality of Author:
Original Language: German
English Language Translator: Samuel French version: George Tabori; Metheun Drama version: Ralph Manheim
Production Rights Holder:

Samuel French or Methuen Drama (Bloomsbury)