AUDITION NOTICE: Accidental Death of an Anarchist - Coolum Theatre Players
Title: Accidental Death of an Anarchist
Presented By: Coolum Theatre Players
Genre: Black Comedy / Political Satire / Farce
Synopsis: Written by Nobel Prize-winning playwright Dario Fo, Accidental Death of an Anarchist is a classic 1970 political satire combining outrageous physical comedy, anarchy and biting social commentary. Inspired by real events, the play begins with a police inspector interrogating a clever and mischievous fraudster known only as The Maniac. When The Maniac discovers that the police station was recently the scene of an anarchist's supposedly accidental death after falling from a third-floor window, they decide to investigate the circumstances for themselves. Armed with an extraordinary talent for impersonation and an appetite for chaos, The Maniac turns the police investigation upside down, exposing increasingly absurd explanations, contradictions and attempts to conceal the truth.
Audition Date: Auditions will be held across three dates in November 2026.
Thursday 5 November: Auditions for The Maniac.
Tuesday 17 November: Auditions for all remaining roles.
Thursday 19 November: Auditions for all remaining roles.
Early auditions for The Maniac are being held to provide the successful performer with additional time to learn this substantial role.
Audition Time: 7:00pm on all three dates.
Audition Location and Address:
The Maniac – 5 November: Coolum Events Centre, Coolum Beach QLD.
Remaining Roles – 17 and 19 November: Coolum Civic Centre, Park Street, Coolum Beach QLD.
Audition Requirements:
No previous acting experience is necessary.
Applicants should be prepared to demonstrate characterisation, comic timing and an ability to engage with the play's farcical style.
The role of The Maniac requires excellent line-learning abilities, physical fitness and the capacity to sustain a demanding performance throughout almost the entire play.
Audition Registration: For audition enquiries or to express interest, contact director Nick Smith.
Email: nickinbuenos@gmail.com
Performance Dates: 16–24 April 2027
Performance Times:
Evening Performances: 7:30pm
Matinee Performances: 2:00pm
Performance Location: Coolum Civic Centre, Park Street, Coolum Beach QLD
Warnings: The play explores themes of police misconduct, corruption, abuse of authority, political injustice, deception and a suspicious death involving a fall from a building. The production also contains dark humour and satirical treatment of serious political and social issues.
Performer Age: Adult performers. Character playing ages range from approximately 20s–60s.
Production Website: https://coolumtheatre.com.au/auditions/
Available Roles/Character Breakdown
THE MANIAC
Gender: Male or Female
Playing Age: 30s–50s
Physical Requirements: Must be physically fit.
The central character of the play, The Maniac is a clever, unpredictable fraudster with an irresistible compulsion to adopt theatrical roles in everyday life. Treating the world as their personal stage, The Maniac uses impersonation, improvisation and outrageous behaviour to manipulate the police and expose the contradictions surrounding the anarchist's death. The character drives the action, constantly shifting between personas while orchestrating the increasingly chaotic events unfolding at police headquarters.
Performance Requirements:
Exceptional line-learning ability.
Strong comic timing and physical performance skills.
Confidence with rapid character changes and heightened theatricality.
Excellent energy, stamina and stage presence.
Ability to sustain a demanding leading role.
Please Note: The Maniac is onstage for virtually the entire play. Auditions for this role will be held separately on Thursday 5 November to allow the successful performer additional time to prepare.
THE INSPECTOR
Gender: Male
Playing Age: 30s–50s
A conventional, by-the-book police officer who initially arrests The Maniac for impersonating a psychiatrist. As the investigation becomes increasingly absurd, the Inspector struggles to maintain control and make sense of the extraordinary events unfolding around him. His commitment to procedure is repeatedly undermined by The Maniac's relentless manipulation.
Performance Requirements: Strong character acting, reactive comedy and the ability to portray mounting confusion and frustration.
THE SUPERINTENDENT
Gender: Male or Female
Playing Age: 40s–60s
The bullish, high-ranking head of the police department. Having overseen the interrogation of the anarchist, the Superintendent is particularly concerned with protecting their career and reputation. Authoritative and self-important, the character becomes increasingly desperate as The Maniac exposes contradictions in the police account.
Performance Requirements: Commanding stage presence, strong comedic timing and the ability to portray authority under pressure.
THE DETECTIVE
Gender: Male
Playing Age: Any adult age
A loyal police officer who works alongside the Inspector and was involved in the interrogation of the anarchist. The Detective becomes deeply involved in constructing increasingly implausible explanations to justify the police department's actions.
Performance Requirements: Strong ensemble acting, comedic timing and the ability to deliver absurd dialogue with conviction.
CONSTABLE I
Gender: Male
Playing Age: 20s–30s
A rank-and-file police officer attempting to navigate the escalating chaos at police headquarters. Caught between the demands of senior officers and The Maniac's unpredictable behaviour, the Constable struggles to maintain order.
Performance Requirements: Strong reactive acting, physical comedy and the ability to portray confusion and uncertainty.
CONSTABLE II
Gender: Female
Playing Age: 20s–30s
Another police officer involved in the original interrogation of the anarchist. Highly skilled at fabricating explanations, Constable II becomes increasingly entangled in the department's attempts to conceal the truth.
Performance Requirements: Strong comic timing, quick reactions and confident characterisation.
THE JOURNALIST
Gender: Female
Playing Age: 20s–30s
A sharp, determined and politically conscious journalist pursuing what could become the biggest story of her career. Unwilling to accept official explanations without scrutiny, she challenges the police and pushes for answers about the anarchist's suspicious death. However, she must carefully balance her determination to expose the truth against the risk of being removed from the investigation.
Performance Requirements: Confident stage presence, strong diction, intelligence and the ability to portray determination and quick thinking.
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