‘The play is not so much an attack on Hitler, but rather upon the complacency of the people who were able to resist him and didn’t.’ – Bertolt Brecht, 1941
Don’t miss this electrifying student production by the Fifth Act Theatre Company, a new ensemble headed by Year 11 Drama Students at St Peter’s College and directed by Paula Little.
This November, step into the gritty, satirical world of The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui — Bertolt Brecht’s bold, razor-sharp parable of power, corruption and unchecked ambition. Performed with daring energy by our talented student cast, this darkly comic play follows the chilling rise of a small-time gangster in 1930s Chicago as he bullies, bribes and murders his way into absolute control: a thinly veiled allegory for Hitler’s ascent in Nazi Germany.
Blending epic theatre with biting satire, Brecht’s signature style breaks the fourth wall, challenges complacency, and demands that the audience think critically, not just feel. Expect a night of bold staging, provocative questions and unforgettable performances from an ensemble across Years 7 to 12 that will shine a light on the dangers of authoritarianism and the ease with which a society can be manipulated.
This is not just a play — it’s a wake-up call.
Come witness theatre that entertains, unsettles and sparks conversation. History has a way of repeating itself — unless we resist.
Save the date in your diaries now – and tell a friend. You’ll want to talk about this one.
Tickets on sale in September.
Paula Little
Teacher of English Literature and Drama
