When an email plopped itself into my inbox, about a play showing at the Nottingham Playhouse which tells the story of how Hitler rose to power via 1930′s gangsters, I must admit I very nearly hit delete.
Not my cup of tea at all.
But Boon loves this kind of thing, anything to do with the War and he’s as happy as you like, so being the amazing wife that I am, I booked tickets for the show.
This was my first time at the Nottingham Playhouse and it’s a lovely looking theatre.
We had really rather good seats, so we plonked our bottoms down and waited.
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| Picture taken by the amazing Stephen Vaughan |
As soon as Leanne Best walked on stage, I was drawn to her, I think everyone was – she is captivating. She starts the whole play off with a bang and introduces all the other characters onto the stage.
Now I’m not going to tell you what happens, because I don’t want to ruin it for you, but I will tell you this; I really didn’t think that I would enjoy this play and I was so very wrong.
It was bloody brilliant. It was breathtaking. It was magnificent. I was, at the end, completely lost for words.
Don’t get me wrong, you need to pay attention, it is fast paced and fast spoken, but go with it (and if you can, get a programme, which will explain the parallels and won’t leave you wondering exactly what is all the fuss about Cauliflower or why Cicero is so very important) and you won’t regret it.
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| Picture Source |
There is a cast of 10. Ian Bartholomew is outstanding as Arturo Ui, his make-up is also genius. But for me it was Leanne Best who stole the show. At first I thought it was because she was the only woman, but it wasn’t, it was because she was fabulous. She plays all of the female roles, but you can see her whole body, accent and demeanour change for each one, so that she is almost unrecognisable. Boon and I were both drawn to her every time she appeared on stage, she was mesmerising.
Right, enough gushing from me! Arturo Ui is showing at the Nottingham Playhouse until 12th November. Tickets start at £7.50.
