Jokes that will have you on the floor – Accidental Death of an Anarchist review

Dario Fo and Franca Rame’s universally popular farce about the death of a suspected terrorist in police custody was written in 1970.

Tom Basden’s adaptation brings it bang up to date.

In a police station, a character known only as The Maniac (Daniel Rigby), runs rings around the dimwitted officers attempting to deal with him.

His accelerated imposture as the Lord Chief Justice looking into the circumstances of the titular anarchist’s defenestration is the stuff of theatre.

Cover-ups, excuses and general mendacity prevail as the tormentors become the tormented and the cops are exposed as corrupt, slippery and dumber than dirt.

Driven by Rigby’s inspired comic performance, Daniel Raggett’s production keeps the pedal to the metal throughout.

There’s barely room to breathe let alone absorb the torrent of jokes, including one about Sting and Tantric sex that had me on the floor.

“Police collusion only works if you’re all singing from the same hymn sheet” advises the Maniac before delivering the theatrical coup de grace.

If the underlying anger of the original has been neutered, it is still an absolute blast.

Accidental Death of an Anarchist,  Theatre Royal, Haymarket until September 9, Tickets: 020 7930 8800