Review: Accidental Death of an Anarchist
The excellent PIP Theatre marketing team (Jenna Todd, Marketing Director) sets the scene beautifully for patrons who might not have heard of Dario Fo’s classic farce—with Accidental Death of an Anarchist promotion that begins ‘a lone maniac turns the Queensland police upside down in adapted Nobel Prize-winner Dario Fo’s classic play.’
Yes, you heard it right; based on Ed Emery’s translation, this impressive adaptation by Helen Strube, Deidre Grace and PIP Theatre re-places the action in 1980s Queensland. At a time of heightened tension, following the death of a young person in custody, the Maniac (Deidre Grace) is brought into the local police station. Certified and unable to be charged with ‘impersonation,’ the Maniac seizes the opportunity to take on the roles of a lifetime. As an investigating judge, forensic expert and bishop, it is the Maniac who uncovers some uncomfortable truths about the so-called pillars of society. As with any great farce, the audience revels in the chaos, in the discomfort of the police, and in the moments of silliness—ensuring that the closing data, projected on the walls of the ‘station,’ has a powerful effect. As the Maniac reminds us during the play, we must never forget our history, or be so complacent as to think that ‘things have changed.’
The PIP Theatre production is a tour de force in more ways than one for Deidre Grace. Grace is not only PIP Theatre Co-Founder and Creative Director, but is also the creative inspiration for setting Accidental Death of An Anarchist in 1980s Queensland, is the co-adapter of the play, and is the absolute star of this show. Sadly the PIP Theatre production closes tonight, but it’s worth running out of the door to see if you can catch the last two shows to experience Grace’s performance as the Maniac: epic monologues, impressive character shifts, incisive questioning, and incredible comic energy.
The extent to which the Director (Calum Johnston), Dramaturg (Helen Strube), and cast explore opportunities for inverting norms works so well in this production, encouraging the audience to think about the versions of history and ‘truths’ we are all prepared to expect. The casting is a key part of this, including the gloriously hyper-masculine portrayals of the entertaining Biscoff-Hallaran duo. I loved Izabela Wasilewska’s portrayal of Detective Hallaran, which appeared to draw on the awful American ‘cop’ tv shows of the period, and Rebel Star’s Superintendent Biscoff is a beautifully observed crass counterpart.
Picture: That wig! Accidental Death of an Anarchist images supplied (credit Jade Ellis Photography- NOT Creative Futures Photography images)
Dana Summer’s PC Sherbert is well-cast, and Summer has some lovely moments of stage business. However, in the interests of shaving off a little time from the show, I would prefer to have the Act 2 typewriter and romantic duet musical pieces a little shorter, or perhaps as the audience walk in. Isaiah Harrison’s repeated first half falls are impressive and impactful, but it would have been good to see the portrayal of a more powerful and assertive female Journalist.
The inspired casting of the Maniac and police is completed with Greg Scur as Inspector Louis. Scur’s Louis is the perfect ’straight man’ throughout the chaos and silliness—as a foil for the humour, and in detecting the truths that the Maniac is unveiling.
In any epic piece of theatre, the work of the creatives is as important as that of the cast. Adelaide Lukin’s costume design is spot on, with a particular mention for the various quick changes for the Maniac that I am sure benefit from the excellent stage management of Courtney Farrar (Stage manager, supported by Jai Bofinger, Assistant Stage Manager/Director Observer). Laurent Milton’s split set design works well in the PIP Theatre space, with clever directorial and lighting touches to remind the audience of the connection between the interior and exterior of the building (Noah Milne, Lighting Designer). Fight Director/Stunt Choreographer Jason Mckell ensures that the stunt falls are impressive and fights suitably cartoonish and safe, and there were great musical choices with solid sound design by Peter Van Brucken.
Congratulations to Deidre Grace, Calum Johnston, Helen Strube and their fellow cast and creatives. Another memorable PIP Theatre Production that I hope may make it back to the Park Road stage sometime.
Picture: Accidental Death of an Anarchist images supplied (credit Jade Ellis Photography- NOT Creative Futures Photography images)
Audience information: Accidental Death of an Anarchist, PIP Theatre, 20 Park Road, Milton QLD 4064 (23 July- 2 August 2025, 7pm [6:30pm Wednesdays], plus an additional 2pm show on Saturdays). Tickets $35-50, plus $3.30 booking fee. 140 minutes, including interval. Aimed at mature audiences (PIP Theatre suggests 14+). Warnings include some strobe-style lighting, representation of police brutality and use of replica weapons, and references to suicide, bombings, sexual assault, terrorist attacks, and violence.
The reviewer attended the 31 July 2025 7pm show.
Photography: Jade Ellis Photography (NOT Creative Futures Photography images)