
6th-10th June 2006, Wimbledon Studio Theatre, Directed by Michael Ahmad

Brecht's parable play on Hitler's ascendancy was written during three short weeks in Finland at the height of the war in Europe in March 1941. The author was in exile awaiting permission to enter the United States. Each of the main characters is an allegorical representation of a historical character, so for example Givola the horticulturist represents Paul Joseph Goebbels, Hitler's minister for propaganda (see below). Hitler and his ministers are transformed into bunch of small time gangsters as they charm and threaten (alternatively and in equal measure) their way to political and military power. This transformation is the primary vehicle for Brecht's satire. Looking at the Third Reich as a criminal organization is both shocking and comic. It was also a brave act for Brecht to put a contemporary figure such as Hitler on the stage, especially given that at the time it was by no means certain that the Allies would be victorious; America was still six months from entering the war.
​
CAST
​Arturo Ui (Gang Leader) - Matthew Petty
Ernesto Roma (Ui's Lieutenant) - Rich Gladwell
Emanuelle Giri (a gangster) - Dave Eastman
Givola (the horticultural gangster) - Kristen McGorry
Old Dogsborough - Mike Norman-Smith
Young Dogsborough – Ali Bushell
Ignatius Dullfeet (Dogsborough's Butler) - James Grayston
Betty Dullfeet (Wife of Ignatius Dullfeet) – Kirsty Collins
Clark (a member of the Cauliflower Trust) – Val Foskett
Flake (a member of the Cauliflower Trust) – Kirsty Collins
Butcher (a member of the Cauliflower Trust) – Katy Wey
Mulberry (a member of the Cauliflower Trust) – Ali Bushell
Caruther (a member of the Cauliflower Trust) – Neil Kelly
Sheet (a shipyard owner) – Matt Halfpenny
Bowl (Sheet's Accountant) – Ali Bushell
Young Inna (Roma's familiar) – Katy Wey
O'Casey (an investigator) – Mat Halfpenny
The Judge - Kathie Arundell
The Prosecutor – Neil Kelly
A Woman – Katy Wey
Defendant Fish – Ali Bushell
Ragg (a reporter on The Star) – Jason Rodericks
The Defence Counsel – Jane Richards
Goodwill (a member of the City Council) – Jennifer Owusu-Akyaw
Gaffles (a member of the City Council) – Jane Richards
An Actor – Neil Kelly
Hook (a vegetable dealer) – Jason Rodericks
Vegetable Dealer – Ali Bushell
Vegetable Dealer – Katy Wey
Vegetable Dealer - Neil Kelly
Vegetable Dealer – Jennifer Owusu-Akyaw
Vegetable Dealer - Jane Richards
Vegetable Dealer – Louisa Court
Vegetable Dealer – Alison Raffan
Vegetable Dealer – Jo Forest-Jones
James Greenwool (a singing gunman) – Matt Halfpenny
Gunperson – Katy Wey
Gunperson – Ali Bushell
Gunperson – Neil Kelly
Gunperson – Jason Rodericks
The Doctor – Jennifer Owusu-Akyaw
Dockdaisy – Louisa Court
CREW
Producer - Joanne Crabtree
Stage Manager - Ellie Levy
Music ~ Michael Ahmad
Lighting / Sound - Simon Harris
Backstage - Ellie Gillian
Costumes - Ellie Levy
Makeup - Kristen McGorry
Publicity - Mike Norman-Smith
Artwork - Matthew Petty
Photography - Kristen McGorry
Programme - Ellie Levy
Front of House - Ruth Brooks, Jane Lewis, Mehmet Izbudak, Ian Ward, Julia Derbyshire, James Derbyshire, Joanne Crabtree, Jethro Crabb
Web Page - Matthew Petty

SPECIAL THANKS

GARY SEDGWICK for sound production
RICHARD FOSKETT for the use of his van
THE BILL for the use of their props
W. A. TRUELOVE AND SONS LTD for providing the coffin