Lyric Hammersmith Theatre today announces the full casting for the first major London revival of Dario Fo and Franco Rame’s riotous Accidental Death of an Anarchist in 20 years, in a new adaptation by comedian, writer and actor Tom Basden.
The co-production with Sheffield Theatres, in association with Playful Productions, is directed by Daniel Raggett and reunites all the cast who performed in the original run at Sheffield Theatres earlier this year.
BAFTA Award winner Daniel Rigby returns to the Lyric following the success of Noises Off, and is joined by Shane David-Joseph (Jerusalem), Tony Gardner (BBC’s Last Tango in Halifax), Jordan Metcalfe (Jack Absolute Flies Again), Ruby Thomas (Pride and Prejudice) and Howard Ward (Pride and Prejudice).
The production opens at the Lyric on 17 March, with previews from 13 March, and runs until 8 April.
An anarchist has fallen to his death from a police station window. But did he jump or was he thrown?
As the police prepare for an inquiry into the incident, an unhinged showman known only as the Maniac is arrested and brought into the station. Seizing the opportunity to put on a show, he leads the police in an absurd recreation of their version of events, exposing the cover-ups, corruption and profound idiocy of an institution in free-fall.
A razor-sharp satire, Tom Basden’s wickedly hilarious adaptation relocates Dario Fo’s classic farce to contemporary London and features a show-stopping performance from Daniel Rigby as the Maniac.
