Accidental Death of an Anarchist with a 1980s corrupt Queensland twist

Sometimes just as local history seems about to be forgotten, a bold project comes along to bring it back to life. So it is for the new production from Brisbane indie arts company PiP Theatre, with its bold reimagining of the classic play Accidental Death of an Anarchist.

This adaptation of Dario Fo’s timeless political farce is relocated to 1980s Brisbane in the tense years leading up to the Fitzgerald Inquiry. It’s fast, funny, and fiercely relevant, exploring themes of institutional corruption, public trust, and the chaotic pursuit of truth through the lens of satire and theatrical madness.

Police corruption was rife in Queensland at the time, and it took brave journalists to uncover it. It was blown apart by the ABC Four Corners investigation by Chris Masters called The Moonlight State, alongside courageous reporting from Phil Dickie at The Courier-Mail. Eventually the extent of the systemic police corruption was revealed, and shown to go right to the top to the Commissioner himself.

Evidence from the resulting two year Fitzgerald Inquiry would ultimately lead to four government ministers and police commissioner Terry Lewis going to jail, and the demise of the Joh Bjelke-Petersen government. 

For this episode of Streets of Your Town I speak to the play’s director Calum Johnston, and Pip Theatre’s Creative Director Deidre Grace who adapted the play to its Brisbane setting and also stars in this production. We find out what prompted them to feature this shady chapter of Queensland history.

For more shownotes and links - please go to my substack for this episode at soyt.substack.com

nancehaxton.com.au