Pendleton School of Theatre - Accidental Death of an Anarchist

Pendleton School of Theatre presents Tom Basden’s razor-sharp adaptation of Dario Fo and Franca Rame’s explosive political farce.

Pendleton School of Theatre Acting Company present Jim Cartwright's gritty and poignant play.

Get ready for a riotous ride through chaos and corruption in Accidental Death of an Anarchist.

With biting wit and blistering pace, this modern version catapults the madness of police bureaucracy and cover-ups into the 21st century.

When a maniacal imposter infiltrates a police station, identities unravel, and truths are twisted in a hilarious whirlwind of deception. Basden’s version keeps the anarchic spirit of the original alive while injecting fresh relevance, targeting today’s headlines with a satirical sledgehammer. More urgent and hilarious than ever, this breathless comedy proves truth is often stranger—and funnier—than fiction.

Accidental Death of An Anarchist is a satirical farce. It was written by Dario Fo and Franca Rame in 1970 in response to a real-life event. Giuseppe Pinelli was wrongly arrested for carrying out a terrorist bombing in Italy in 1969, and was killed by falling from the window of the police station where he was being questioned. The play contains references to these events and comedy writer Tom Basden's 2023 adaptation, which relocates the action to modern day London, contains strong language, adult themes and references to more recent real-life events.