Accidental Death of an Anarchist by Italian playwrights Dario Fo and Franca Rame premiered in 1970. It has since been performed in more than 40 countries.

A political farce, the play is based on the true story of the 1969 Piazza Fontana bombing and the death of Giuseppe Pinelli while being interrogated by the Italian police. At the time of writing, Italy was experiencing a time of political unrest, workers’ strikes and radical challenge of the establishment.

Drawing on the traditions of clowning and commedia dell’arte, the play shines a spotlight on police corruption, collusion and heavy-handedness through various theatrical devices including impersonation, farce and slapstick.

This 2023 English language version of the play is adapted by Tom Basden. Retaining the original’s deployment of the absurd, Basden brings a fresh modern twist by locating the action in a London police station.

Woodmansterne Secondary School is a new venue for us, but they have good facilities and are very friendly! There are trains to Streatham Common or Norbury, buses along Streatham Vale or Streatham High Road, then a short walk to the Woodmansterne Road entrance – not Stockport Road. Google maps is your friend. There is some on site parking.

Cast

The Maniac: Mitchell Labiak
Superintendent Curry: Yasmin Smith
Detective Inspector Burton: Alan Scott
Detective Jackson: Mike Jennett
Detective Daisy: Jon-Claud Nix
PC Joseph: Lizzie Hartree
Fi Phelan: Pauline Kennedy
Judge Randall: Mitchell Labiak

Crew

Director: Helen Mason
Assistant Director: Emily Denton
Technical Director: David Harvey
Assistant Stage Manager: Eshani Weeresinghe

This amateur production is by arrangement with Nick Hern Books