On Saturday 25 March, the Drama A-Level students saw a production of ‘Accidental Death of an Anarchist’ written by Dario Fo and Franca Rame, adapted by Tom Basden. 

This adaptation of Fo’s classic play confronted contemporary British issues without losing its comical charm. It was simultaneously thought-provoking and hilarious – two things which don’t usually occupy the same space with such power. It kept Fo’s original massaging against police brutality and corruption whilst covering more prevalent, modern-day subjects, from racism to the murder of Sarah Everard. Shocking statistics on these issues were scattered throughout the production, reminding us that this isn’t just a fictional reality. The last of these statistics was projected onto the set after the final bows, leaving the audience to think about the ‘1851 deaths in police custody or otherwise following contact with the police in England & Wales since 1990’ (Inquest). 

By Izzie, Isobel and Becky