SUTCo’s Accidental Death Of An Anarchist – 26 February 2025, University Drama Studio
Review by Jacob Bush.
As one of their semester two productions, Sheffield University Theatre Company take on the incredibly challenging yet very funny play Accidental Death of an Anarchist. Written by Dario Fo and adapted by Tim Supple and Alan Cumming, the play is based on a police station where a few days ago an Anarchist had supposedly accidentally fallen from a fourth floor window. A Maniac arrives, initially just for an interrogation about a fraud case, but he worms his way further and further into the action – he has a rare mental disorder whereby he is constantly playing other characters.
The play is incredibly challenging to perform, with its fast paced and complex dialogue and the requirement to land so many punchlines. Kirsty Lucas and Ben Sanderson direct the production impressively. The show keeps moving at a good pace, and they make sure every moment of comedy is landed perfectly. They even find opportunities for physical comedy which probably aren’t in the script. The show is also incredibly timely, packed full of modern political references (particularly to the things currently ongoing in the USA). A queer lens has been added to the show which works very well.
Chi Nguyen’s set design is great. We know exactly where we are, grounding the absurd action in a layer of reality. Eleanor Bevan’s (lighting designer) decision to add in a few occasionally flickering lights, creating the impression that there’s dodgy light bulbs in the offices, is a genius idea and adds to the layer of reality. Mason Lugh’s projection design works well, creating the impression that we’re high up in a building – however when fact files about characters are projected, now everything seems to fit in the window which is being used as a screen.
Toma Hoffman is an outstanding leading man as the Maniac, an incredibly demanding role. He captivates the audience from the first second he is on stage. His accent and voice acting work is impeccable and his performance is very funny. He is a very physical actor, moving wonderfully and adding to the comedy of the show.
Sam Bevan’s Inspector Pisani is great fun, with excellent comic timing. Chantelle Winder gives a very strong performance as the Superintendent – casting a woman in male drag in this role works perfectly, simply adding to the absurd comedy of the play. Matthew Heppell as Inspector Bertozzo brings a delicious over-the-top anger to the piece, being the perfect juxtaposition to Bevan’s Pisani. Phoebe Cookson and Eden Houlberg are also incredibly funny as the 2 Constables. Their acting through facial expressions is just wonderful.
SUTCo have done an impressive job at putting on Accidental Death of an Anarchist, a play that at first may seem incredibly daunting. It is very funny and rather bonkers, yet somehow still feels relevant to today’s political environment.