The Government Inspector

First staged in 1836, The Government Inspector is a play set in Russia, written by Ukrainian-born Nikolai Gogol, but its themes are timeless and without geographical boundaries. Over nearly 200 years there have been numerous adaptations and interpretations, and the story even inspired an episode of Fawlty Towers ! Alistair Beaton’s hilarious translation brilliantly captures the dazzling blend of preposterous characters in their all too real situations.

In a small far flung back of nowhere town corruption is rife, with the mayor and his cronies filling their pockets at the expense of the downtrodden citizens but their comfortable situation is thrown into chaos and panic when word comes of an imminent visit by a government inspector ‘travelling incognito’. A classic case of mistaken identity ensues and the hapless officials fall victim to their own stupidity and greed.

 This amateur production of The Government Inspector is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French Ltd