Accidental Death of an Anarchist

A lone maniac sets the police on their heads, in this classic play Accidental Death of an Anarchist, which in this version, was set in London in 2023. The police force has been wildly condemned by the public following the death of a young, falsely-accused anarchist after his interrogation at their hands. Official reports of the incident conflict: in the first report, the man’s death is listed as “accidental,” whereas it is later listed as “suicide.” In the midst of this, the Maniac is hauled into the police station on charges of “impersonation.” The Maniac knows the police cannot hold him, as he has been legally-certified insane, and takes the opportunity to impersonate a judge sent to reopen the inquiry into the anarchist death, a forensic expert, and a bishop. Through his probing, hilarious, and shocking investigation, the Maniac reveals himself to be a hero to the people--and the police department’s worst nightmare.

The central character (The Maniac) is superbly played by Stuart Wishart and from his first cheeky glance at the audience through the 4th wall, to which he later throws the odd comment, Wishart explains to the inspector, who is questioning him for a statement, that he needs to perform.  He has studied patients from attending 20 institutions during the last 16 years and when he soon finds himself alone in the 2nd floor police office, acts as Inspector Plod intercepting a phone call, and gets involved in the conversation.

Like all the actors, Wishart takes the dialogue at a blistering pace, cleverly enhanced by some great facial expressions and comedy timing. The real inspector (Burton) , played with great confidence and presence by Robert Graham, is set up by Plod for allegedly bad-mouthing Detective Dan-Daisey from the 4th floor, having taken that call on the phone, who shortly gives Burton a black eye.

When the Maniac moves to the 4th floor (I liked the way the view from the 2nd floor window changed as the scene moved to the 4th floor) he pretends to be Judge Randall heading the judicial enquiry into the death from the 4th floor window. Superintendent Curry (Richard Taylor) arrives and Taylor creates a splendidly blustering character initially and frequently thereafter, in a fury, together with Detective Dan-Daisey played by Johnathan Flowers. The Maniac demonstrates that the defendant has been stitched up and the reactions of the officers is priceless, when told what could happen to them!

There is a point when the Maniac almost gets them to throw themselves out of the window, which was convincing. Before feigning an alliance with the officers, the Maniac forced them to re-enact the night of the anarchist's death. Through chaotic slapstick and a "play-within-a-play," the cops accidentally contradict themselves, exposing their own conflicting stories, which was frequently hilarious.

Meanwhile Constable Joseph, well played by Chris Kay, is most of the time typically charged with supplying tea. PC Jackson a minor role played by Donna Abram, is nevertheless played appropriately, not without uttering the odd expletive. Meanwhile a journalist Fi Phelan arrives with evidence, threatening to expose the whole cover-up. Bhupinder Brown as the journalist is typically inquisitive, claimed the ambulance was called before the ‘accident’ and Wishart’s next move is to pose gloriously as a visiting pathologist with wig, character moustache, eye patch and false hand.

When the Superintendent returns and eventually recognises the Maniac, Wishart then poses as a Bishop sent to watch over the Met. During a blackout and further confusion, Wishart disappears but returns as the real Judge Randall.

The set, costumes, lighting and sound were excellent as I have come to expect and the audience was left to reflect whether justice can be achieved, dare one say, within a rotten political system. This was an excellent production by Director Tori Wakeman and Assistant Director Laura Pearson.

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