Accidental Death of an Anarchist

The story of Accidental Death of an Anarchist uses as a springboard the tragic events surrounding the arrest of anarchist railway man Giuseppi Pinelli. After four days of interrogation in police headquarters about a bombing of a bank, Pinelli “fell” out of a fourth floor and died. Police claimed that the death was an “accident.” These events sent a shock wave throughout Italy, prompting demonstrations, articles in the press, inquires, etc. The play, while dealing with weighty political issues, is nevertheless extremely funny, rooted in Italian traditions of farce and of commedia del’arte.