The Government Inspector

The Government Inspector is a satire set in a small Russian town, presented here in a modern translation.

Darren has wanted to direct this play for some time, and with the help of Sadie Cole he was able to bring it to life.

Jim Markey played the Mayor of the town. His performance showed the gravitas of his position as well as his anxiety about the impending visit of the Government Inspector. Jim’s diction was impeccable, and I marvelled at how well he learnt his lines; his monologues were well paced and confidently delivered.

Harry Harding played Khlestakov, the penniless nobody mistaken for the Government Inspector. Like Jim, Harry had wonderful diction, and his monologues were engaging and well-paced. His facial expressions were outstanding — eyes are so important when performing, and he used them brilliantly to draw the audience in. His comic timing was second to none. His servant Osip was played by Adrian Viviani, whose disdain for his boss was clear; Adrian’s facial expressions communicated as much as his dialogue.

Anna (Louise Paton) and Marya (Victoria Polydorou), the Mayor’s wife and daughter, formed a strong double act as they competed for Khlestakov’s affections. They bounced off each other well, and Anna’s disappointment when he engaged with Marya was a picture. Louise’s larger‑than‑life characterisation was very good and often very funny.

The double act of Bobchinsky (Carl Westmoreland) and Dobchinsky (Crystal Martin) reminded me of a pantomime duo. They worked extremely well together, and small touches — such as eating food in the background — were both funny and gave them purposeful business during moments when they were observing the action.

The Magistrate (Tish Allen), the Director of Education (Julie Markey), and the Commissioner for Health (Sami Underwood) all had to ensure their departments were presentable for the Government Inspector. I enjoyed their individual scenes with Khlestakov in Act 2, each trying to convince and bribe him. All were funny, each bringing out their individual characteristics. Gemma Sloan, as the doctor, had excellent timing with her German responses, which led to some very amusing reactions from the other characters.

The remaining characters were played by several actors: John Pizzey (Postmaster), David Cousins (Police Superintendent), Ian McInally (Constable), Sadie Wood (Waitress/Locksmith’s Wife/Korobkina), Martyn Broyd/Shopkeeper Abdulin), David Curling (Mishka/Shopkeeper) and Pat Lay (Avdotya/Shopkeeper). They all gave distinct characteristics to each role. A special mention goes to Pat’s versions of Avdotya — with little dialogue, she still made every moment count.

The costumes were outstanding. Penny Coyston’s research and attention to detail were evident, and it made such a difference. Not only were the costumes period‑appropriate, but they were beautifully made. The small details were particularly effective; for example, the pockets, collar, trousers, and skirt for Bobchinsky and Dobchinsky were all made from the same material, tying the characters together perfectly.

I understand from speaking with members of the cast why the set was minimalist, but I still believe it needed the same attention to detail as the costumes. The Mayor’s house was sparse and could have benefited from a little more furniture — for example, a chair of his own to convey a sense of wealth. This may also have helped with the blocking, as at times dialogue was delivered in lines and cast members were masked.

Thank you to HD&OS for their hospitality.

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