Accidental Death of an Anarchist, Theatre Royal Haymarket

Following a well-received run at Lyric Hammersmith, Tom Basden's adaptation of Dario Fo and Franca Rame’s satire transfers to the West End's Theatre Royal Haymarket, with star Daniel Rigby reprising his role.

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Accidental Death of an Anarchist, Lyric Hammersmith review ★★★★★

Those who arrive at the Lyric Hammersmith armed with the title Accidental Death of an Anarchist, but little by way of context for what they’re about to see, could be forgiven for leaving under the impression they watched a new dark comedy about the accusations of corruption facing London’s Metropolitan Police. Others will know that Dario Fo and Franca Rame’s satire is a modern classic, first performed in 1970 and traditionally set in Milan. But sitcom writer Tom Basden’s adaptation, co-produced here with Sheffield Theatres (it premiered last autumn at the Crucible), makes it feel contemporary, even if director Daniel Raggett’s production is a little smug and self-congratulatory at times.

Set entirely in an interview room at a police station, the play opens with two officers questioning a wacky, quick-thinking showman, known only as the Maniac (Daniel Rigby, more on him later), about the death of the titular anarchist, who we’re told jumped from the window of the police station. However, it’s not long before the Maniac has verbally wriggled his way out of their accusations, like a magician untying his own fastenings. Disappearing then reappearing under a new guise, he soon manipulates a role reversal, putting the force in the questioning chair as he conducts an unofficial inquest into their inquest (‘the British way!’).


Jordan Metcalfe (Detective Daisy) Daniel Rigby (The Maniac) and Tony Gardner (Superintendent Curry) in Accidental Death of an Anarchist. Photo: Helen Murray

While the core elements of the original plot, including a nail-biting final scene involving a bomb, remain intact, Basden peppers his script with references to the many scandals involving British police officers over the last few years, including the murder of Sarah Everard, the rough treatment of Extinction Rebellion protesters, policemen taking selfies with murder victims, and a harrowing final point about the worrying number of deaths in UK police custody – more than 3,000 – illustrated powerfully by Matt Powell’s video design. Basden's adaptation is a case-in-point that the problem is endemic rather than a case of ‘a few bad apples’, and it couldn’t feel more timely.

It’s a shame, then, that Daniel Raggett’s production hits the ground too fast. Unlike Lindsay Posner’s recent, well-paced revival of the farce Noises Off, which took time over its build-up and enjoyed a pay-off in laughs once all cards were on the table, this Accidental Death of an Anarchist opens at a gallop, with tensions pitched at boiling point from the get-go, leaving little space for emotions to go anywhere. It’s also overly self-aware as a comedy, and its ‘say-line, get-laugh’ formula grows tedious when you see it coming.


Shane David-Joseph, Jordan Metcalfe, Daniel Rigby and Tony Gardner in Accidental Death of an Anarchist. Photo: Helen Murray

Still, there are some quite brilliant moments of direction, executed in large part by Rigby, who performs the Maniac with Duracell Bunny energy and immaculate comic timing. His supporting cast too are on top form.

Designer Anna Reid’s set, though a faithful representation of a dull, cube-shaped police station, has some tricks up its sleeve that largely centre on the all-important window. Jai Morjaria’s lighting is also subtly commendable; taking on the role of the sky, it shifts a misty daytime into an inky pink-hued evening.

While as a whole the production seems a bit self-satisfied, it’s a well-timed revival, written with prowess by Basden and fortified by an explosive performance from Rigby.