Morte accidentale di un anarchico
Morte accidentale di un anarchico (Accidental Death of an Anarchist) is an Italian farce by Dario Fo (1926-2016) [1]
Contents
The original text
Written in 1970 (original title in Italian Morte accidentale di un anarchico), the play centres on the fall from a window of a prisoner in custody. The play is based on the 1969 Piazza Fontana bombing and on the death of Giuseppe Pinelli while being interrogated by the police.
It premiered on 5 December 1970 at the Capannone di Via Colletta, Milan, and has been performed across the world in more than forty countries.
Translations and adaptations
Widely translated into a number of languages.
Ed Emery was the translator for an authorised English-language version of the play. Other translations include oneby Gillian Hanna (adapted by Gavin Richards, staged at London's Wyndham's Theatre in 1979) and another adaptation by Tom Basden premiered at the Crucible Theatre, Sheffield in October 2022.
Performance history in South Africa
1980-1981: Presented by The Market Theatre Company, at the Market Theatre, Johannesburg. Directed by Malcolm Purkey with Charles Comyn, Richard Cox, Jeremy Crutchley, David Eppel, Sharon Lynne, Robin Smith.
1983: Presented by The People's Space in association with Robin Sanders in March 1983, directed by Sanders starring Dermod Judge (Inspector Bertozzo), Chris van Niekerk (Inspector Pissani), Richard Farmer (Two Constables), Ian Roberts (Superintendent), Neil McCarthy (A Maniac), Lynne Maree (Maria Feletti). Set design Bee Berman and Anton Johnson, costumes Birrie le Roux, lighting Leon Benzakein.
2002: Directed by Christopher Weare at the Arena Theatre, Hiddingh Campus, UCT in 2002, with Bernadine Gardiner, Eve Szapiro, Coba-Maryn Wilsenach, Deirdre le Patourel, John Gamble and Nancy Rush.
Sources
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accidental_Death_of_an_Anarchist
https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morte_accidentale_di_un_anarchico
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dario_Fo
Ruphin Coudyzer. 2023. Annotated list of his photographs of Market Theatre productions. (Provided by Coudyzer)
Accidental Death of an Anarchist theatre programme, 1983.
Die Burger, 21 May 2002.
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