Accidental Death of an Anarchist

Image by Barbara Lowing

GALLERY

A lone maniac turns the Queensland police upside down in adapted Nobel Prize-winner Dario Fo’s classic play Accidental Death of an Anarchist.

The Queensland police force faces public outrage after a young, falsely accused anarchist dies during interrogation. Conflicting reports emerge: initially deemed an “accident,” the death is later reclassified as “suicide.” Amidst the scandal, the Maniac is brought into the station for “impersonation.”

Legally certified as insane and unable to be held, he seizes the chance to impersonate a judge reopening the case, a forensic expert, and a bishop. With wit and chaos, he becomes the people’s unlikely hero—and the police’s worst nightmare. 

A woman with curly hair, wearing a pearl necklace, holding a notepad and pen, looks skeptical while someone holds a phone to her ear against a purple background. The image includes text indicating an event at Pipp Theatre with a logo and a title abou
Promotional poster for a theatrical production titled 'Accidental Death of an Anarchist' featuring a man in police costume with one leg raised, wearing a light blue shirt, dark shorts, white socks, and black boots, with humorous facial expression aga
A person dressed as a police officer with a prop mustache, posed in a jumping action against a solid light blue background. The image includes text about a theatrical production titled 'Accidental Death of an Anarchist,' with logos for poip theatre a
Four police officers dressed in uniform and police hats, smiling and laughing with arms outstretched against a blue background.
Promotional poster for the theater show 'Accidental Death of an Anarchist' featuring three individuals with disheveled hair, dressed in casual and theatrical costumes, standing against a purple background. One person has an eye patch and a fake musta
Group of six people dressed as police officers and civilians in humorous poses with exaggerated expressions, wearing police hats and fake mustaches, against a blue background with event branding for pip theatre and a themed event titled 'Accidental D
Four men dressed as police officers with exaggerated facial expressions, some with fake mustaches and eyebrows. One wears glasses and a gray police uniform, while the others wear blue uniforms. The background is light purple, and there are logos and
Actor dressed as a detective with an eye patch and a prosthetic hand, standing with a serious expression during a theatrical performance. Another actor dressed as a police officer is in the background, appearing distressed.
Person dressed as a judge with a wig, glasses, and black robe, holding a gavel, pointing with their right hand, on stage in a courtroom or theatrical setting.
A woman with gray hair and a worried expression stands in an office, holding a coffee mug. She wears a dark jacket over a blue sweater. Sitting at a wooden desk is a man in a police uniform with a hat, glasses, and a short-sleeved shirt, biting his f
Theater scene with five women on stage in a room with beige walls, some dressed in police uniforms and others in civilian clothing, one woman in a bright red blazer, engaged in a dramatic or comedic interaction.
Four women, two dressed as police officers and two with hair rollers, huddled around a table, sharing a cigarette with a lighter.

REVIEWS

Backstreet Brisbane
Creative Futures
Drama Dispatch
Stage Whispers

“Costume design by Adelaide Lukin piled countless comical disguises and props upon the Maniac, from an assortment of prosthetic limbs to a judge’s wig made from a mop head. Lukin drew inspiration from Queensland Police uniforms of the 80s for the other characters, and there were impressive false moustaches aplenty.”

(2025, Backstreet Brisbane)

“In any epic piece of theatre, the work of the creatives is as important as that of the cast. Adelaide Lukin’s costume design is spot on”

(2025, Creative Futures)

“Adelaide Lukin had a great level of detail in the costumer design of the play. Each character stood strong as individuals while also looking cohesive as a production. Lukin also had a part in the play’s comedic elements with the Maniac adding an obvious disguise to their body. This was a treat that added a lot to Act Two.”

(2025, Drama Dispatch)

“The production design also impresses. Costume designer Adelaide Lukin deserves special mention for dressing the Maniac in a series of delightfully unpredictable ensembles, while also giving the broader cast just the right touch of absurdity.”

(2025, Stage Whispers)