• Runtime: 165 minutes
• Director: Jamie Goodliffe

• Audition

Performances 22-27 June 2026 in the Auditorium

Directed by Jamie Goodliffe

Background

Dario Fo’s original play is a relentless blend of comedy, cut with the hard reality of police corruption and institutional cruelty. The play is based on the real-life coverup of the death of Giuseppi Pinelli, who fell from a window while being interrogated by the Italian police.

This is a recent adaptation (Basden, 2022) which understands the essence of the original- it’s a hilarious, fast-paced satire powered by a very real sense of outrage. It moves the setting to a London Metropolitan Police station in the modern day. You may have heard about the recent scandals with the Met- I’m not even referring to anything specific here, they really just seem to keep going…

Plot

An insane Maniac is brought into the station to be charged with impersonation. The Maniac evades this, and starts investigating a recent suspicious incident where an anarchist died after falling from a window in the station. The Maniac poses as a judge, officer, and bishop, convincing the police to re-enact the events and concoct increasingly ludicrous cover stories. This leads to a climax where the police take extreme action to absolve themselves.

Style

The acting needs to be energetic and characterful. The pace is fast and the jokes frequent; a good sense of comic timing is essential. A knack for physical comedy would also be great!

There is still subtlety; the reason that the police are drawn along with the Maniac’s bizarre plans is that they are trying to resolve a conflict within themselves. They see themselves as the “good guys” so how could they be responsible for a bad thing? As the play continues they have no choice but to follow the Maniac’s lead.

Rehearsals

Mon, Wed, Fri evenings, starting from w/c 23rd March 2026. There will be some additional rehearsals closer to the show week, potentially on weekends. Any major commitments from actors need to be declared on the audition form.

Characters

There are two roles which I’ve decided need to be played as a specific gender: DAISY as a man, PHELAN as a woman. Other roles are open to your own interpretation.

Suggested playing ages are very flexible!

Generally, I’m hoping to see energy, creativity and character from auditionees.

THE MANIAC (any)

Absolutely insane, and they have a certificate to prove it. Initially comes in under arrest, but then starts impersonating a Judge in order to undermine the authority of the police, leading them down a cartoonish spiral.

An incredible role for a character actor, on stage at all times with a lot of dialogue and several monologues. As the driving force of the play it requires stage presence and the ability to get the audience on your side, sometimes breaking the fourth wall to do so.

SUPERINTENDENT CURRY (40+)

Stressed out, trying to keep a lid on various scandals, and sees everyone beneath them as useless. Unaware of their own incompetence, and the embodiment of an entitled manager whose main job is to justify keeping it. Curry is initially resistant to the Maniac’s game, but starts to go along with it out of desperation. Large role.

DETECTIVE DAISY (30+)

Appears alongside Curry, and gets very invested in the re-enactment of events. He thinks he’s hot shit… He’s not. A wannabe playboy, but he doesn’t understand what the ‘rules’ are anymore, and hates that he doesn’t seem to get enough perks for being a cop. Large role.

INSPECTOR BURTON (30+)

Angry and full of contempt for the general public. A petty bully, disliked by his own colleagues. Initially played straight, Burton becomes more manic in the second act when they see through the disguised Maniac. Less stage time than other roles, but towards the end has some opportunities to become hilariously apoplectic.

FI PHELAN / PC JACKSON (20+)

Phelan is a journalist who appears in the second act. The police are terrified that she might learn the truth, however Phelan is more interested in her own career than justice. She’s a parody of someone in the London liberal media, up to her eyeballs in organic lattes, so this can be played into.

Doubles with the small role of Jackson, who is Burton’s unassuming assistant in the first act.

PC JOSEPH (20+)

A keen but somewhat inept assistant to Curry. Joseph isn’t yet as corrupt as the other police, but they don’t exactly question anything either. Less lines than the other roles, but a good amount of stage time. There are plenty of opportunities for humour though, as Joseph is terrible at reading the room and very easily led.

Audition Pieces

You aren’t expected to be off-script at the audition, but please be familiar with these excerpts. We will make sure everyone gets to read for the parts they are interested in at least once.

A) Maniac, Burton

pp. 12 (BURTON: But you’re not a doctor, are you?) - 13 (MANIAC: Oh no, I’d hate that)

B) Maniac, Superintendent, Daisy, Joseph

pp. 37 (SUPERINTENDENT: This is a setup!) - 40 (JOSEPH: I’m so sorry, sir)

C) Superintendent, Daisy, Phelan, Joseph

pp. 62 (SUPERINTENDENT: Shit, okay, she’s here) - 63 (SUPERINTENDENT: Mark Pop…pop-pop-pop)

D) Maniac, Superintendent, Daisy, Phelan, Burton

pp. 81 (SUPERINTENDENT: That’s not our official policy) - 84 (DAISY:Just get on your knees and eat a wafer)

Copies of the audition pieces are available from the Box Office; these are free to take. There is also a full script available at the Box Office, but it is not to be taken away.

If you are unable to attend this audition or have any special requirements, please let me know in advance. There is a possibility that actors from the first audition might be recalled if we need to see more.

Please do get in touch here if you have any questions!