Venue: Jericho Arts Centre, Vancouver
Date(s): March 7-17, 2002
Reviewer: Jane Penistan
The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui is a
fascinating combination of Al Capone's Chicago underworld and the
emergent Nazi totalitarianism of Hitler's Germany in the early 30's.
This fast-paced production, full of energetic dancing, patter, songs and
humourous dialogue is nevertheless blood chilling in its implications.
Directed by Tom Kerr, performed by both experienced and less well-known
actors, this show is full of excellent performances by a multi-talented
cast. The original music composed by Rick Fox is redolent of the era,
and played with taste. To keep the audience aware of the passage of
time and of the historical events occurring during the presentation,
information is projected onto a backdrop screen. Short scenes follow
each other at lightning speed, while the masked actors change character
with equal celerity.
Tom Kerr has elected to paint the faces of the actors with masks,
rather than using the stiffer and less expressive actualities. The
clothes worn by the cast are American 1930's. As he gains in power
and wealth, Arturo Ui's wardrobe becomes more opulent and degenerative,
while those of whom he has ruined are reduced to shirtsleeves. In the
same way, as Ui becomes more authoritative, violence and evil grows,
and the characters of integrity are destroyed.
Foremost of the actors, Adam Henderson as Arturo Ui sinuously evolves
from the scheming gangster into the terrifying big boss with the power
of life and death over all within his long reach. This transformation
involves several scenes, the most memorable is that of his being
coached in deportment by an actor (Bert Steinmanis). This is a scene
of light relief in an increasingly frightening environment. Anna
Cummer plays four very dissimilar roles with equal talent and aplomb,
perhaps her best being the adolescent Young Dogsborough.
The Mentor Co-op does an excellent job of giving less well-known and
less experienced actors the opportunity to work in such a distinguished
company. The talent of these actors is apparent but they are gaining
experience, instruction by example and a chance to be seen in this
outstanding production of an outstanding play.
© 2002, Jane Penistan