Mark Gatiss Stars in RSC's First-Ever Production of The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui: First Look Photos Released

The Royal Shakespeare Company has unveiled the first production photos from its highly anticipated staging of The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui, starring Mark Gatiss in the title role. The satirical masterpiece, running at the Swan Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon until 30 May 2025, marks a significant milestone as the RSC's first-ever production of Bertolt Brecht's celebrated play.

The images offer a tantalising glimpse of what audiences can expect from this landmark production, which features a stellar cast bringing Brecht's darkly comic allegory to vivid life on stage.

Brecht's Political Satire Gets a Fresh RSC Staging

Written by Bertolt Brecht in 1941, The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui is one of the 20th century's most potent works of political theatre. Set in the underbelly of 1930s Chicago, the play charts the ruthless ascent of a fictional gangster, Arturo Ui, whose climb to power through intimidation, corruption, and violence serves as a biting satirical parallel to Adolf Hitler's rise in Germany.

The play's central thesis, that fascism could have been stopped if people had acted sooner, gives the title its key word: "resistible." Brecht wrote the piece while in exile from Nazi Germany, channelling his rage and despair into a work that remains alarmingly relevant to contemporary audiences. The decision by the RSC to stage this play for the first time in the company's history feels both bold and timely.

This new production uses an adaptation by Stephen Sharkey, offering a fresh lens through which modern audiences can engage with Brecht's parable about the fragility of democracy and the mechanisms of authoritarian power.

Mark Gatiss Leads a Star-Studded Cast

Mark Gatiss, known widely for his roles in Sherlock, Doctor Who, and The League of Gentlemen, as well as an accomplished stage career that has included acclaimed West End performances, takes on the towering central role of Arturo Ui. The character demands both menace and absurdity in equal measure, making it a perfect fit for an actor of Gatiss's range and theatrical intelligence.

Joining him in a cast packed with exciting talent is BAFTA-winning comedian and actor Mawaan Rizwan, who makes his RSC debut in the role of Giri. Rizwan, best known for his appearances on Taskmaster and his Comedy Central series Man Like Mobeen, brings a fresh energy to the RSC stage. Similarly, Kadiff Kirwan, beloved for his role as Stormzy in Ghosts, also makes his first appearance with the company, playing Roma.

The casting of Rizwan and Kirwan alongside Gatiss signals the RSC's continued efforts to draw in new audiences while maintaining the highest theatrical standards. Their presence is likely to attract theatregoers who might not typically attend a Brecht production, broadening the reach of this vital piece of drama.

Returning RSC Favourites and a Strong Ensemble

The production also features several distinguished returning performers. Janie Dee, an Olivier Award winner with a long and celebrated RSC history, returns to the company as Betty Dullfeet. Christopher Godwin takes on the role of Dogsborough, the compromised politician at the heart of the play's corruption narrative, while LJ Parkinson plays Givola.

Rounding out the ensemble are Joe Alessi, Valerie Antwi, Mark Hammersley, Rebekah Hinds, Cameron Johnson, Samuel Nunes de Souza, Mahesh Parmar, Santino Smith, and Amanda Wilkin. The depth of the cast reflects the ambition of this production and the RSC's commitment to ensemble storytelling.

A Bold Creative Team with Music by Placebo

Director Seán Linnen leads the creative vision for this production, and the team assembled around him suggests a staging that will be visually striking and aurally distinctive. Georgia Lowe serves as set and costume designer, while Robbie Butler handles lighting design.

Perhaps the most intriguing element of the creative team is the involvement of Brian Molko and Stefan Olsdal of Placebo, the iconic alternative rock band, who have composed the music for the production. Their dark, atmospheric sound feels like a natural match for Brecht's sinister satire, and the collaboration between a major rock act and the RSC promises to bring a unique sonic landscape to the Swan Theatre stage.

The creative team also includes sound designer Johnny Edwards, movement director Jennifer Jackson, fight director Haruka Kuroda, casting director Christopher Worrall, music director Richie Hart, voice and text coach Charmian Hoare, costume supervisor Harry Whitham, and assistant director Mandeep Glover.

Why This Production Matters Now

Brecht's work has always served as a warning about the mechanics of fascism, and productions of The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui tend to emerge during moments of political turbulence. The play has enjoyed notable revivals over the decades, with actors including Leonard Rossiter, Al Pacino, and Lenny Henry all having taken on the title role to great acclaim.

That the RSC has chosen this moment to stage the play for the first time speaks volumes. At a time when questions about democratic institutions, populism, and the rise of authoritarian figures dominate public discourse around the world, Brecht's darkly funny, deeply unsettling parable feels as urgent as it did when it was written over 80 years ago.

The combination of Gatiss's star power, fresh casting choices, and original music by Placebo suggests the RSC is positioning this production not just as a historical curiosity but as a piece of theatre that speaks directly to the present.

Booking Information and What to Expect

The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui runs at the Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon until 30 May 2025. Press night is scheduled for 21 April, after which reviews will give a fuller picture of the production's impact.

The Swan Theatre is one of the RSC's most intimate performance spaces, with its thrust stage creating a close relationship between performers and audience. For a play about the dangerous proximity between charismatic leaders and the people they manipulate, this setting could prove especially powerful.

Theatregoers planning a visit should book early, as the combination of Mark Gatiss's name recognition, the novelty of the RSC staging this play for the first time, and the involvement of Placebo is likely to generate strong demand for tickets throughout the run.

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