This is a slapstick comedy charting the rise of Chicago gangster Arturo Ui. Through extortion, violence and the weakness of others, particularly the upright and honest Dogsborough, Ui moves inexorably onwards and upwards, until at the end he dominates Chicago's greengrocery trade and starts exporting his business to nearly Cicero. Especially amusing is the scene in which Ui hires a Shakespearian actor to coach him in public speaking. In fact much of the play brought a wiry smile to my lips, but the slapstick has a point; the piece isn't about Chicago gangsters, it's about the rise of Hitler. Between scenes notices outlining historical events are shown to put the savage satire into context. I did not know very much about the history of Hitler's rise to power and so found these extremely important in appreciating Brecht's parable. The introduction and notes are also excellent in placing the piece in it's historical context. Well worth reading.
Methuen, 123 pages
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