Daniel Rigby on playing The Maniac in Accidental Death Of An Anarchist

Daniel Rigby is currently starring in a smash hit stage comedy at the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre, following a critically acclaimed run at Sheffield Theatres last year, and the show continues to pick up 5 star reviews now it's in London. We spoke to him to find out more...

Hi Daniel. You're playing a character called The Maniac...

It's a show called Accidental Death Of An Anarchist and is on until the 8th of April at the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre. A maniac infiltrates a police station in disguise and gets them to incriminate themselves regarding a recent death in police custody. It's a unique show, an absurd farce but with an undercurrent of rage at injustice and the abuse of power.

What attracted you to the production? We're hoping you're not feeling like you're a natural fit for a character called The Maniac?

I saw Rhys Ifans play The Maniac at the Donmar many years ago and remember thinking that it'd be a dream part. I've worked with Tom Basden [who has adapted this version] a few times and think he's an excellent writer.

You first staged this play in Sheffield? You must have enjoyed the production, to be returning to it again?

We did the show in the studio at the Crucible in autumn last year so to get the chance to take it to a bigger venue and see what a larger crowd makes of it was irresistible.

Did you have a new rehearsal period?

There's been some changes and, after a few months off, it was good to get a couple of weeks to rehearse it in again. Luckily all the lines seemed to still be there when I returned to it, but it was also good to get a shot at improving things.

It sounds like Tom Basden has adapted the scripts to give the play modern references?

Tom's been updating the entire time we've been working on it, so the references are bang up to date. I've never been part of a production that has so many resonances with current news. I'm writing these answers on the day Lady Casey releases her report on the Metropolitan Police. In summary: not great.

The show runs until April. Have you thought about what you're going to do after that? We notice you've been doing some stand-up gigs over the last year, is the plan to return to that artform...?

I'd love to. I had planned to do some gigs, but life (and summoning the requisite courage) can interfere. It'll happen at some point.

We loved you in Landscapers, Flowers and The Witchfinder. It appears those projects have now finished, but if you could pick any TV or radio role to return to, what would you choose?

I loved playing Donald and made some friends for life on Flowers so that'd be the choice I reckon.