Theatre Studies

Year 12 presents ‘Accidental Death of an Anarchist’

An anarchist has fallen to his death from a police station window. Was he pushed or did he jump?

As the enquiries continue, the police force will stop at nothing to keep their badges clean.

We ought to warn you that the author of this sick little play, Dario Fo has the traditional, irrational hatred of the police common to all narrow-minded left wingers. His play is a social commentary on the justice system in Italy in 1969, presenting the system as extremely corrupt and incompetent.

Fo reinvited a real-life mysterious incident of the death of Giuseppe (Pino) Pinelli whilst in police custody. ‘Pino’ as an anarchist was held partially responsible for planting a series of bombs located around Milan – All attacks pointed to suspicion of left-wing organizations.

Already in custody for multiple charges of impersonation, the ‘Maniac’ sits in the central police HQ in Milan. With weakening evidence, the ‘Maniac’ impersonates his way into power over the police force until all secrets of corruption are revealed.

A tale of truth and illusion, the play is stylised to political/epic theatre, farce, comedy and physical theatre which take the audience through situations that are highly exaggerated, sometimes hilarious and somewhat improbable.

The Year 12 Theatre Studies class have been studying and working with this text since late last year. We have been trying to engage with and compose both interesting characters and attempting find the balance between function and purpose with our designs. We hope to be able to communicate the intended meanings of the play to provoke discussion whilst also entertaining audiences with laughter and visual delight.

The students involved in this process are:

Liam Collins

Michaela D’Abate

Samuel Jones

Flynn Martin

Elijah McEvoy

Daniel Restaino

Zachary Videky

We will be performing this text study to an audience on the evenings of 15 and 16 April in the

St Bede’s College Performing Arts Auditorium and would love your support. Watch this space for ticket information closer to the date – oh, and it’s free!

Zachary Videky

Art Captain and Theatre Studies class member