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Italian political farce opens at Ilkley Playhouse

Monday, 18 May 2026 09:26

The Accidental Death of an Anarchist opens tonight, 18 May, at Ilkley Playhouse, this modern day version uses sharp and hilarious satire on police corruption that will leave audiences breathless!

The play by Dario Fo and Franca Rame, adapted by Tom Basden, followers train worker Giuseppe Pinelli who is arrested and falsely accused of carrying out a bomb attack.

It’s Milan 1969. While in police headquarters he mysteriously falls to his death from a window. The police call it suicide, labelling Giuseppe as an Anarchist. A judge later declares it as an accident and not suicide, while the public have other theories.

Originally written by famous farce and satirical writer Dario Fo, this hilarious new version by Tom Basden, set in a present-day London Met police station, uses farce and slapstick humour to tackle serious themes of police accountability and systemic corruption.

It runs from 18th until 23rd May in The Wildman Studio at Ilkley Playhouse, tickets are available from www.ilkleyplayhouse.co.uk

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