Name: The Unstoppable Rise of Arturo Ui
Start: 2026-06-20T21:30:00+02:00
End: 2026-06-20T23:30:00+02:00
Location: Münchner Volkstheater

A Brecht Evening that Exposes Power in Harsh Light

With The Unstoppable Rise of Arturo Ui, the Munich Volkstheater brings Bertolt Brecht's bitterly ironic gangster parable to the stage 1. The evening plunges right into a world of corruption, political susceptibility, and calculated violence – and shows how quickly power can turn into overt threat.

A classic that has lost none of its relevance

Brecht wrote the play in 1941 in Finnish exile as a political parable on the rise of Hitler; he relocates the action to Chicago's vegetable vendors and gangsters. This is precisely where the powerful theatrical atmosphere of this material lies: Behind the grotesque surface lurks an analysis of propaganda, opportunism, and herd mentality, which resonates immediately in the audience. Christian Stückl's direction relies, according to press reviews, on wit, pace, and a cleverly balanced play between entertainment and challenge.

Christian Stückl's Direction Between Parable and Present

The Munich Volkstheater emphasizes the intertwining of business and politics in its current production. Arturo Ui is not presented as a distant bogeyman, but as a seductive figure who undermines the order with charm, threat, and verbal force. The direction sharpens the perception of Brecht's alienation effect: The audience is meant not to sink, but to recognize, judge, and be alarmed. This is where the dramatic power of this evening lies.

Ensemble, Language, and Musical Intensification

Anton Nürnberg takes on the title role, surrounded by an ensemble that carries the evening with precise acting skills. The press reviews highlighted by the theatre particularly praise the ensemble's verve and the musical intensifications featuring motifs like Tannhäuser and Badenweiler March. This creates a stage experience that is not museum-like, but works with sharp rhythm and clear physicality.

The Munich Volkstheater as a Suitable Venue

The production can be experienced on Stage 1 of the Munich Volkstheater, a house that, with its modern architecture, barrier-free accessibility, and location in the slaughterhouse district, offers ideal conditions for contemporary spoken theatre. According to theatre information, the hall accommodates 609 seats. For the audience, there are short paths, good public transport connections, and a free cloakroom – the best prerequisites for a focused theatre evening.

What the Audience Can Expect

The Unstoppable Rise of Arturo Ui promises an exciting, intelligent, and entertaining theatre evening about the mechanics of power. Anyone wanting to experience Brecht as vibrant, contemporary spoken theatre will find here a production that operates with force, irony, and political sharpness. An appointment for all who want to not only see theatre but also carry thoughts home with them.