Dick Fiddler is Dead – a hauntingly humorous yet profoundly human new play written and directed by Natasha Markou – is set to premiere at London’s Etcetera Theatre from 3–7 November 2025.

Produced by London Production Studios, the play brings together an outstanding creative team and cast, featuring Julia Righton as Jenny Andrianopoulos and Pravessh Rana as Dick Fiddler. The production promises audiences an evocative fusion of absurdist comedy, lyrical storytelling, and deeply emotional realism – all infused, quite literally, with the scent and spirit of Greece.

Set against the backdrop of a quiet park bench, Dick Fiddler is Dead tells the story of a man mourning the loss of everything – his career, his identity, and even his own sense of being. Convinced that he has died, Dick sits alone, lost in his thoughts, until he meets Jenny, an enigmatic woman armed with a suitcase full of kleftiko and an appetite for mischief. Through her warmth, garlic-scented generosity, and sharp wit, she challenges him to rediscover life’s small wonders. As memory distorts and reality begins to unravel, Dick faces a choice: surrender to the absurd chaos of existence or remain buried in the comfort of despair.

Described as a “tender absurdist tragicomedy,” Markou’s work delves into themes of identity, loss, and the surreal nature of modern life. With music by Dave Price, movement direction by Jenny Ayres, and dramaturgy by William Gregory, the production artfully intertwines dark humour, surreal imagery, and emotional depth to explore how meaning can emerge from confusion.

The production’s visual richness is further elevated by a talented creative team, including Sophia Grace (Hair & Makeup), Katie Ho (Photography), Samuel Bennett (Videography), and Yannis Manolopoulos (Director of Photography).

Markou – whose previous work often grapples with questions of cultural identity, grief, belonging, and transformation – imbues Dick Fiddler is Dead with Mediterranean warmth and philosophical humour. The recurring motif of kleftiko, the traditional slow-cooked Greek lamb dish, functions as both a literal and metaphorical ingredient – symbolising memory, heritage, and the sensual experience of life itself.

Ultimately, Dick Fiddler is Dead is far more than a story of loss. It is a story about revival, resilience, and the quiet, often absurd, beauty of rediscovering what it truly means to be alive.

For tickets, visit: tinyurl.com/tickets-Dick-Fiddler-is-Dead