Reviews

• S

  Sep 1, 2023

  Very funny, great performance by actors, especially Daniel Rigby

• Amanda

  Aug 31, 2023

  Superb production, grabbed you straight from the start and didn’t let you go until then end. Slap stick humour was hilarious and the power in the message was tremendous. A hard watch if you are and officer but real life political and controversial issues presented very well in a storyline which was fantastical but true. The energy and stamina of the actors was amazing! Loved it and left you with a set of emotions from sadness to hope.

• Mary

  Aug 31, 2023

  Loved it. Daniel Rigby is incredible and the rewrite of the text drives a completely compelling production. Standing ovation totally deserved. Have recommended to all friends.

• Ed

  Aug 30, 2023

  A fabulous energetic lead performance.

• Caroline

  Aug 28, 2023

  The play was hysterical Funny but politically relevant from beginning to end. I saw this play in the 1970's and it was as good and relevant now as it was then when it was new. My sister saw it now for the first time and after initially being shocked by how in-your-face the actors were was enthralled

• Helen Wilson

  Aug 26, 2023

  What a total dream of a performance.. say in the third row from the front in relatively cheap seats we had a great view of the stage. From the first moment onwards this fast paced farce landed punch after punch of hilarious one liners on the audience .. could not have asked for more from any of the small, but perfectly cast, team on stage. If you like a tiny bit of slap stick with a huge dollop of sarcastic wit sprinkled with dark humour then this is the play for you ..

• Terry Rich

  Aug 21, 2023

  This play was amazing...fast paced and witty.. the energy shown by the cast and the lead in particular was fantastic.... I would recommend this play to everyone... Big thumbs up 👍

• Graham

  Aug 18, 2023

  Funny, politically spot on, brilliantly acted, dark and poignant in parts

• Jo smart

  Aug 16, 2023

  Good solid performance from everyone in cast . Script adapted well a little cringy in places and designed for a Haymarket audience. In general lacked edgeyness and was disjointed in places.

• Sally East

  Aug 10, 2023

  From the very first view of the face of the main protagonist you could tell you were in for a maniacal 2 hours. Brilliantly updated to illustrate our justice system's failings. Cutting but with comedia del arte moments. Great ensemble performances all round. Stupendo! Grazie mille.

• James S

  Aug 2, 2023

  This modernised production has all the vim and vigour of the original, updated for current audiences, with harrowing figures of police failings. Cast phenomenal, script a delight, message distressing. Go see it!

• Sally

  Aug 1, 2023

  I genuinely laughed all the way through! The script was was incredibly well written and kept up to date, and every actor played their part to the tee, at a very fast moving pace.

• Gordon D’Silva

  Aug 1, 2023

  Hysterically funny, politically poignant and frightening relevant. A seminal theatrical experience. Thank you to the entire crew!

• Fiona R

  Aug 1, 2023

  Great show, with an amazing cast, some truly laugh out loud moments. A Thoroughly entertaining evening.

• Andrea

  Jul 30, 2023

  Wow what an excellent afternoon we had. Such energy from all cast members It’s funny, engaging and overall a total must see

• Marta K

  Jul 29, 2023

  This is a dynamic reincarnation of an old favourite. It’s brazen in its criticism of the police and mixes serious issues with side splittingly funny entertainment. It was exhausting watching and I admire the acting pace.

• Lesley

  Jul 27, 2023

  With the police failings in London and Manchester hitting the headlines, now comes a play that voices what the public thinks. Daniel Rigby as the madman pokes fun at police fiddling of evidence and bad behaviour - beating them at every turn. Even the liberal press gets a pasting. Great, angry fun!

• Keith Searby

  Jul 27, 2023

  Excellent acting and a spot on message

• Fab

  Jul 26, 2023

  We really enjoyed the performance, fantastic, high energy acting, not a single moment bored. Serious and deep societal and institutional issues tackled in a very humorous manner.

• West End junkie

  Jul 25, 2023

  Fabulous, one of the best plays I have ever seen! The fast paced dialogue slipping in the odd political comment kept me on my toes and I loved it!

• William Jefferies

  Jul 23, 2023

  This was a grey updated version of this classic play with some stellar performance is and laughs throughout.

• JenL

  Jul 23, 2023

  The play, AADOAA was superb: full of manic comedy, farcial situations and lots of commentary of the corruption and inadequate state of the Police. The lead Actor was superb. How on Earth he remembers his lines, delivers them at speed and adapts them to current affairs is absolutely amazing. Everyone should see this. The venue, The Royal Haymarket is also beautiful with great seats and decent views from all. Many thanks to all.

• Kieran Wilson

  Jul 22, 2023

  the show was full of energy, non stop humour from start to finish. Daniel Rigby had us all in the palm of his hand and made us laugh seemingly at his will. great supporting cast. Great script. Balanced humour and damning of the British Institutions. .Great ‘pantomime’ ; how dare you indeed!!

• Katie

  Jul 20, 2023

  Very well acted, funny with a significant and important message but it lashed any balance or erudition one would expect from a west end play. It was clearly a political farce but I felt short changed: it’s also very short!

• Yair

  Jul 19, 2023

  The play's satire of the police and the government is sharp and on-point. The way the play exposes the incompetence and corruption of these institutions is both funny and disturbing. Daniel Rigby's performance as the Maniac is truly inspired. He is hilarious, manic, and deeply unsettling all at the same time. He is the perfect embodiment of the play's dark humor. I would definitely recommend "Accidental Death of an Anarchist" to anyone who enjoys dark comedy, satire, or thought-provoking theater. It is a well-made and entertaining play that is sure to leave you laughing and thinking.

• Dawn

  Jul 17, 2023

  Main role tough - this actor nailed it in spades - superb. Bang up to date with loads of relevant jokes - blink and you miss them.

• Kath

  Jul 16, 2023

  Chaotic and hilarious with a serious message. An amazing performance. Hugely enjoyable

• Thomas G.

  Jul 16, 2023

  Excellent

• Maria

  Jul 16, 2023

  Great acting, tons of fantastic references, and overall a great fun night.

• Abi

  Jul 14, 2023

  So funny. I was in stitches throughout, but also had an important and serious message at the heart of it.

• Stephen Jessener

  Jul 13, 2023

  I left during the interval. That was a horrible demolition of the original script which traded cheap, current references for the bite / anger of the Fo version. There was no light or shade…a barrage of shouting. Another couple said “I’ve never left a play early, but this one’s making me consider it.”

• Mandy Brown

  Jul 13, 2023

  This is a must-see! Brings Dario Fo's original play to contemporary setting - thanks to Tom Basden's excellent adaption/ re-write. Fast, witty, and devastating commentary on police brutality in 2020s Britain. Daniel Rigby brings a stunning performance, with brilliantly funny slapstick and even some mild gymnastics at times! Political message delivered in a bitingly critical and highly comedic style. Cannot recommend enough.

• Anna K

  Jul 10, 2023

  Brilliant sharp intelligent humor, enjoyed it throughout!

• Marco

  Jul 9, 2023

  Well it's been thirty years plus since I first saw the original version set in Italy and I loved it then -it had a real effect on me as a youth politicising me and helping awaken me to the reality of police brutality- the updated version is as relevant today as it was then, more so even- it was so well performed and laugh out loud funny as well as underlining the facts of modern day london policing tactics and their sometimes /too often deadly effects

• Andrew Laycock

  Jul 6, 2023

  "Accidental Death of an Anarchist" is a profoundly entertaining and thought-provoking play that explores a range of relevant socio-political themes within the disguise of a laugh-out-loud comedy. Written by Dario Fo and skillfully directed by [director's name], the production flawlessly balances humor, satire, and political commentary, captivating the audience from start to finish. The play revolves around the chaotic investigation into the controversial death of an anarchist who fell from a police station window. The comedic genius lies in the flawless execution of slapstick humor, witty dialogue, and unexpected twists, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats, both laughing and questioning the prevailing power dynamics. One of the standout elements of the play is the incredible acting talent displayed by the cast. Each actor meticulously embodies their character, perfectly capturing their nuances and eccentricities, delivering their lines with impeccable comedic timing. The diverse mix of characters, including the manipulative Maniac, the oblivious Inspector Bertozzo, and the bewildered police force, provide a fertile ground for exploration of societal hypocrisy and political corruption. The script by Dario Fo is nothing short of brilliant. It masterfully interweaves complex political themes with comedic gold, making for an unforgettable experience. Fo's ability to seamlessly combine humor and biting critique of authoritarian power structures is truly admirable, making the play equally accessible and thought-provoking for audiences from all walks of life. Another commendable aspect of the production is the set design, which cleverly reflects the oppressive atmosphere of the police station. The detailed and realistic set adds depth to the story, heightening the sense of absurdity and confusion prevalent throughout the play. Furthermore, the direction of [director's name] brilliantly captures the essence of the play and enhances its impact. The seamless flow between scenes, the inventive use of physical comedy, and the creative staging choices add layers of rich entertainment that go beyond the confines of the script. "Accidental Death of an Anarchist" succeeds on multiple fronts. It is a laugh-out-loud comedy that provides much-needed comic relief, while simultaneously challenging the audience's perceptions of authority, corruption, and justice within society. The play successfully uses humor as a weapon to expose the absurdity and hypocrisy that often dominate political environments. In conclusion, "Accidental Death of an Anarchist" is an astonishing theatrical production that combines impeccable acting, a brilliant script, and skillful direction to create a thought-provoking, hilarious, and truly memorable experience. Without a doubt, it is an absolute must-see for theater enthusiasts and anyone who appreciates intelligent satire and social commentary at its finest.

• Laura

  Jul 4, 2023

  A very original play and the actors were brilliant,especially the man playing the lead. A great couple of hours entertainment.

• Ceri

  Jun 29, 2023

  I don't think I have every laughed so much at a theatre performance. It was brilliant!

• Steph Hudson

  Jun 18, 2023

  Really enjoyed the production, lots of energy, excellent revamp to present time of the original.

• J dunn

  Jun 14, 2023

  I really enjoyed this. It was amusing and right on point, trying all the institutional and societal bigotry together very well. Only real issue was the actor playing the journalist ( and i thought that character was really well written and cleverly adapted to show how deep all this went) didn't seem to have good voice projection. I was't at the back but couldn't hear them. I heard other audience members on the way out saying the same thing. A small point but it was surprising that an actor was used in a theatre who didn't seem to be able to project their voice.

• Aggie Walczak

  Jun 14, 2023

  I can’t remember the last time I thought: this was written for me. I can relate or identify with it. Accidental Death of the Anarchist was WRITTEN FOR ME. Mr Rigby is a tornado. The play, with the British reference, is heartbreakingly relevant. I am recommending this enthusiastically! Bravo!