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Political theatre at its best

19 January 2010

Bruiser Theatre Company brings The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui to Belfast Waterfront`s Studio from Tuesday 16 to Thursday 18 February.

Directed by Lisa May and adapted by Ralph Manheim, The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui is political theatre at its best, most powerful and one of Bertolt Brecht`s best known plays.

In this alarming and savagely hilarious allegory of Hitler`s rise to power, the Führer is portrayed as charismatic Chicago gangster Arturo Ui, who endeavours to seize the city`s fruit and vegetable racket from top-dog Al Capone. He systematically seduces the public and eliminates his political rivals in his bid for total domination.

Six actors/musicians play over fifty characters to bring the story to life in true Bruiser physical style.

Director Lisa May has been itching to have a crack at `Arturo Ui` since Bruiser tackled Brecht`s great masterpiece, The Threepenny Opera, to great acclaim around the country in 2005.

Arts Council of Northern Ireland Dance and Drama Officer, Gilly Campbell, commented: “As Bruiser Theatre Company`s principal funder, the Arts Council is pleased to extend its support to this challenging new production, with National Lottery project funding of £32,825.”

“Widely regarded as one of Northern Ireland`s most progressive theatre companies, Bruiser is renowned for driving theatrical standards forward. The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui sees Bruiser tackling one of Brecht`s finest plays. A definite must see for 2010!”

There will also be performances of The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui on Wednesday 17 & Thursday 18 February at 11am.

Thursday 18 February (8pm) is a captioned performance.

Tickets (priced just £10) are available online, from the Waterfront and Ulster Hall Box Offices and by calling 028 9033 4455.

Tickets for all events at Belfast Waterfront and the Ulster Hall are now also available from selected Xtra-vision stores across Northern Ireland.
Full details are available from box office on 028 9033 4455 or online at www.waterfront.co.uk

There is a Waterfront Credit/Debit card handling charge of £1.00 per ticket for bookings made by telephone.
A fee of 50p per booking is payable for tickets forwarded by post.
Online bookings attract a charge of just £1.50 per transaction.

Ends

Press release issued by: Nicholas Sadlier, PR & Advertising Executive, Belfast Waterfront and Ulster Hall.
Tel: 028 9033 4418 Email: sadliern@waterfront.co.uk

For further information on the production, or interviews with cast and crew, contact Company Manager Stephen Beggs on 07780 695675.

NOTES FOR EDITORS:

Bruiser`s production of The Resistible Rise Of Arturo Ui comes hot on the heels of the company`s acclaimed The Government Inspector (Autumn 2009), Oh What A Lovely War (Spring 2009), The Case Of The Frightened Lady (Autumn 2008), Candide (Spring 2008) & Blue Remembered Hills (Autumn 2007).

Previous productions by Bruiser Theatre Company also include The Canterbury Tales, Faustus, Metamorphosis, The Secret Diary Of Adrian Mole Aged 13¾, The Threepenny Opera, Confusions, The School For Scandal, Blood Wedding, A Midsummer`s Night`s Dream, Teechers and Two.

Bruiser`s Principal Funder is The Arts Council Of Northern Ireland. The Company also receives Core funding from Belfast City Council.

Bruiser is delighted to be strengthening its relationship with Belfast Waterfront, staging the premiere of this production in the Studio Theatre. Bruiser is also carrying out Summer Schools as part of the Urban Arts Academy in the Waterfront in July.

Bruiser`s Patrons are actor, writer and director Dan Gordon; acclaimed singer Duke Special and author Sue Townsend, most famous for her `Adrian Mole` books.

Bruiser hosts highly acclaimed Summer Theatre Schools – three in Belfast and one in Coleraine – during July and August each year.

Bruiser`s Artistic Director Lisa May recently won the Belfast Telegraph `Woman Of The Year` at the 2009 Arts Awards.