Accidental Death of an Anarchist

An all-star all-female cast in a side-splitting new adaptation of this classic satire about power and corruption.

10 Sep - 27 Oct 2018

Drama Theatre, Sydney Opera House

The Play

★★★★ Time Out ★★★★ Stage Noise
★★★★½ "Outrageously funny" Limelight
"Sublime farce for the post-truth world" The Australian

Sydney Theatre Company and Adshel present

ACCIDENTAL DEATH OF AN ANARCHIST  

By Dario Fo
In a new adaptation by Francis Greenslade with Sarah Giles

A play as absurd and paranoid as the times in which we live

A man has fallen to his death from a police station window. Did he jump or was he pushed? The cops want a cover up, but first they have to contend with an unlikely detective – a certified lunatic with a knack for impersonation.

Written by Italian Nobel laureate Dario Fo in 1970, this farce with a political sting in its tail has become an absurdist classic. In a first for this play, director Sarah Giles has amped up the energy with an all-female cast led by some of the country’s funniest comedians. This is a smart and subversive new adaptation, created by Giles with co-adaptor Francis Greenslade (ABC’s Mad as Hell).

It’s a glorious battle of the individual against the establishment, of underdog against overlord, of anarchy against tyranny. On the side of corruption and ineptitude, we welcome back the comic brilliance of Caroline Brazier (ABC’s Rake, STC's Dinner) playing opposite Helpmann Award-winner Amber McMahon, who’s on the side of freedom and justice.

“It’s so funny, resistance is futile... [a] rare thing, a political farce that is genuinely funny while also making a serious political point.”
The Telegraph, UK

Duration 2hrs 5mins (including interval)
Content warning Strong language, loud sound effect, adult themes

Production Patron The Petre Foundation

Ticket information

Single ticket prices
Saturday evening $120
Adult $109
Concession $89
Seniors cardholder $99
Preview $83
Under 30 $83

Prices correct at the time of publication.  Exact prices will be displayed with seat selection.

Transaction fees may apply
$7.50 online; $8 telephone; $0 Box Office counter

Dates

Previews 10 Sep 2018 – 13 Sep 2018
Season 15 Sep 2018 – 27 Oct 2018

Performance start times
Preview performances 8pm
In-season evening performances Mon & Tue 6.30pm; Wed – Sat 8pm
Matinee performances Wed 1pm; Sat 2pm

Duration 2hrs 5mins (including interval)

Pricing and ticket information

Single tickets

Saturday evening $120
Adult $109
Concession $89
Seniors cardholder $99
Preview $83
Under 30 $83

Prices correct at the time of publication and subject to change without notice. Exact prices will be displayed with seat selection.

Authorised ticket sellers
The only authorised ticket sellers for this event are Sydney Theatre Company and Sydney Opera House. Only tickets purchased by authorised agencies should be considered valid and reliable. More info

General terms and conditions for tickets and attendance at Sydney Opera House events
For further information on general terms and detail on resale restrictions please visit the Sydney Opera House website.

Transaction fees may apply
$7.50 online; $8 telephone; $0 Box Office counter

Concession, seniors and under 30 tickets
Suitable and valid identification must be provided for collection of tickets and at the venue, such as your concession or proof of age card. Alternatively, you may email a copy of your identification to [email protected]. Please quote your booking reference number.

Access requirements
For specific access requirements, please call Box Office on (02) 9250 1777 to book your seats.

Access Performances

Captioned performance
Wed 10 Oct 1pm
Fri 19 Oct 8pm

Audio described performance
Sat 20 Oct 2pm

Auslan interpreted performance
Thu 11 Oct 8pm

Accessibility at STC  

Schools Days

Wed 19 Sep 11.30am
Wed 26 Sep 11.30am
Wed 24 Oct 11.30am 

Our Education program  

Director Sarah Giles
Designer Jonathon Oxlade
Lighting Designer Trent Suidgeest
Composer & Sound Designer Stefan Gregory
Assistant Director Heather Fairbairn
Movement Directors Mike Finch and Nigel Poulton
Choreographer Sara Black

With
Caroline Brazier, Julie Forsyth, Bessie Holland, Annie Maynard, Amber McMahon, Susie Youssef

Marketing image Rene Vaile

This listing is updated as cast and creatives are confirmed in the lead-up to the production, and if there are any changes to the team. Ensure you have the most up-to-date information about each play by opting in to our enewsletter.

“Sublime farce for the post-truth world” The Australian

★★★★ "Laughter spurred on by the pleasure of a perfectly-landed punchline erupted over and over, like waves ... This cast of exceptional women taking on male buffoonery is worth the price of admission alone." Time Out

★★★★½ "Outrageously funny – this is a high-energy cast with no weak links and Amber McMahon is an absolute maniac." Limelight

★★★★ "Amber McMahon is astonishing, the rest of the company is superb in support. It seemed as fresh and on point in 2018 as it did in 1980. Oh dear. Recommended without reservation." Stage Noise

“The cream on top is [Sarah] Giles’s decision to cast women in the male roles, and it’s a gift that keeps on giving. The choice immediately heightens [Dario] Fo’s surreal comedy by adding another level of absurdity to proceedings. You’re aware of the disconnect: the action feels brighter and sharper, the silliness is enchantingly sillier.” The Australian

“Jonathon Oxlade's set is another star of the show.” Sydney Morning Herald

“A very, very funny and very, very silly quasi-surreal farce, yet one with a definite sting in the tail... Sarah Giles’ production is an absolute corker, beautifully setting the scene of a 1970 police office straight from the jump, with a breathtakingly good heightened-realist design by Jonathan Oxlade.” Australian Stage

“Fabulously fun, all female adaptation of Dario Fo's farce Morte Accidental Di Un Anarchico. Highlighting corruption and coverups through clever subterfuge, this is a clever physical and linguistic comedy presented by a wonderful cross-dressing cast.” Broadway World Sydney

“Julie Forsyth is genuinely hilarious as Inspector Bertozzo, distilling masculinity to its ugliest components.” Suzy Goes See

Insight Events

We offer a range of free and ticketed events designed to give you further insight into our plays. Find out more about our Insight Events.

Pre-season Briefing
Mon 3 Sep 7pm
Richard Wherrett Studio
FREE
Past event

Night with the Actors
Mon 24 Sep post-show
Mon 15 Oct post-show

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