Mark Gatiss Joins Rehearsals for ‘The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui’: Photos
Rehearsal images have been released by Filmogaz.com showing the Royal Shakespeare Company preparing its 2026 staging of Brecht’s political satire. The company has cast Mark Gatiss in the central role of Arturo Ui. Mark Gatiss joins rehearsals ahead of the Stratford run, and Photos from the sessions have been shared publicly.
Principal cast and RSC debut
BAFTA winner Mawaan Rizwan appears in his first RSC production as the violent gang member Giri. Kadiff Kirwan plays Roma, Ui’s loyal henchman. Double Olivier award-winner Janie Dee will take the role of Betty Dullfeet.
- Mark Gatiss — Arturo Ui
- Mawaan Rizwan — Giri
- Kadiff Kirwan — Roma
- Janie Dee — Betty Dullfeet
- Christopher Godwin — Dogsborough
- LJ Parkinson — Givola
- Joe Alessi — Butcher / Dullfeet / Prosecution
- Valerie Antwi — Ensemble / Swing
- Mark Hammersley — Ensemble / Swing
- Rebekah Hinds — Flake / Dockdaisy
- Cameron Johnson — Mulberry / Jimmy Greenwool / The Judge
- Samuel Nunes de Souza — Ensemble
- Mahesh Parmar — Dogsborough’s Son / Fish / Inna
- Santino Smith — Sheet / Hook
- Amanda Wilkin — Clark / Ragg / The Woman
Creative team
Seán Linnen directs a new version by Stephen Sharkey. Georgia Lowe designs set and costumes, with Robbie Butler on lighting.
Music contributions come from Placebo members Brian Molko and Stefan Olsdal. The creative team also lists Johnny Edwards on sound and Jennifer Jackson as movement director.
- Director — Seán Linnen
- New version — Stephen Sharkey
- Set & Costume Designer — Georgia Lowe
- Lighting Designer — Robbie Butler
- Music — Brian Molko & Stefan Olsdal (Placebo)
- Sound Designer — Johnny Edwards
- Movement Director — Jennifer Jackson
- Fight Director — Haruka Kuroda
- Casting Director — Christopher Worrall CDG
- Music Director — Richie Hart
- Voice & Text — Charmian Hoare
- Costume Supervisor — Harry Whitham
- Assistant Director — Mandeep Glover
Performance dates and venue
The play runs at the RSC’s Swan Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon. Performances start on Saturday 11 April and conclude on Saturday 30 May 2026.
Press night is scheduled for Tuesday 21 April. This production marks the first time the company has staged this Brecht play.
About the production
The piece is staged as a gangster spectacle set in Chicago’s back alleys. It frames a satirical account of opportunism during the Great Depression.
The production examines how fear and manipulation enable a schemer to seize power. The RSC presents the work as a warning drawn from historical events.
