With rehearsals starting next week 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 (BB1 Here We Go and ITV’s Plebs), the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre release new images of Daniel Rigby as The Maniac.
If you live or work in Hammersmith or Fulham, you can claim two free tickets to the first performance of Accidental Death of a Maniac thanks to the Free First Night scheme, generously sponsored by Hammersmith and Fulham Council. Register online at www.lyric.co.uk/free-first-night-signup/, and preview tickets are available from £10.
BAFTA Award winner Daniel Rigby plays the Maniac alongside cast members Shane David-Joseph, Tony Gardner, Jordan Metcalfe, Ruby Thomas and Howard Ward.
The co-production with Sheffield Theatres, in association with Playful Productions, is directed by Daniel Raggett and runs at the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre from 13 March 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.
