Accidental Death Of An Anarchist

Incredibly, it was a very unseasonal 18 degrees in Watlington as I parked my car at an unintentionally jaunty angle in the new (ish) smooth as a millpond car park. It may have been my third show in three days but I was really looking forward to it. They do things so well here, and not just the perfomances. From the very second you step through the door the omnipresent Front Of House Manager, Cyril Pike makes you feel completely at home and as Nerys Brooks pours your chosen beverage into a glass you are always reminded that putting on a good production depends on so many more people than just those in front or behind stage. Tonight it was Dario Fo’s Accidental Death of an Anarchist and with Matthew Austin in the lead, things were looking promising!

To be completely factual it was Dario Fo’s … with translation and transportation by Simon Nye, as the original Italian location and script had been re-worked to move the action to London, adding additional relevance and perhaps a chilling realism as so much of the political comment seemed very familiar. The story is based in truth and revolves around a bad police cover-up of the suspicious death of a suspect in custody. The alleged Anarchist has taken a dive from the fourth floor and none of the police’s versions of events seem to tie up. Enter (Stage Left through a window) The Maniac, a man so deranged his insanity becomes genius as he pretends to be a judge and takes the policemen involved in the cover-up through their stories.

It was surreal comedy heaven for me and, although Matt Kerslake seemed concerned that some of the audience might not engage, I would say there was enough different comedy styles to satisfy all tastes. Political satire, gags and plenty of first-rate slapstick. The small but perfectly formed cast spent most of the time on stage with only Jenny Lewis as the Journalist joining the fray in the last quarter. With the smallest number of lines, David Brammer played two police constables and made me laugh out loud on more occasions that I can remember. He had to cope with a killer line every ten minutes so concentration was very important, and of course, being David Brammer he never faltered. In contrast, David Wagg delivered his contribution in two clumps and, as Inspector Bertozzo, he was completely on top of his game with a brilliant British “Copper” characterisation that was priceless.

The main action is focused on an Inspector and his Superintendent played by Peter Fiddling and Steve Brooks, both perfectly cast and both in as good a form as I have ever seen. Confident enough with their lines and relaxed in their delivery they made a perfect backdrop for the headline act.

In this instance, allocation of penultimate paragraph honours was not at all difficult, and, in assessing Matthew Austin’s talent, it is probably sufficient to say that even knowing most of the amateur actors in a twenty miles radius of King’s Lynn I could not think of anyone else who could have played this part….. and even if I have overlooked anyone, I doubt that they could have done it to this standard with this amount of energy. The part of the Maniac is enormous, he never leaves the stage and he hardly ever stops talking!
This part was made for Mr Austin and he revelled in every brilliant moment of it with a technical focus that other actors would do well to study. His personal contribution to the comedy should not be underestimated, adding at least one visual gag to every three from the script. A virtuoso performance from one of King’s Lynn’s most accomplished actors.

My sincere compliments to Director, Matthew Kerslake for a top notch piece of theatre. It was beautifully staged, perfectly framed and he allowed each performer to get the very most from their part without diluting the end product. He was helped in no small part by sound, light and some very nice video from technical maestro Barry Ayres, who peaked at the Act One Finale with a lovely piece of anarchist rap which was interpreted by the cast. It left me heading for the mid-session coffee and biscuit in tears of laughter. Well done Watlington, it was a great night and a production of the highest standard.

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