The Government Inspector

~~This play is a satire by Nikolai Gogol translated and adapted by Alistair Beaton and must be one of the best Russian plays I have seen. From start to finish it held the audiences full attention.
 
The leading character was the mayor of a town where civic money was routinely embezzled. He is played by Patric Howe who turns in a superb professional performance, worthy of a grander setting than a village hall. At no time throughout the whole play did he drop out of character.

Problems seemed to arise when a tip-off that an “incognito” government official would be arriving sends the local officials into panic mode as they consider the “intelligence” gathered by the unreliable source of Bobchinsky and Dobchinsky played by David Norster and Martin Letts. They are extremely funny as the country bumpkins.

As ‘Inspector’ Khlestakov, Roger Minor visibly grows into the role, but his lively performance is matched by that of Mike Clay as Osip, his valet. Anna, Brenda Lambert and Marya, Karen Garside vied for Khlestalov’s attention as mother and daughter.
 
Under the direction of Lesley Wilson, assisted by Caroline Powell, who should be very pleased with the results, all members of the cast gave very good performances, maintaining a good pace throughout. The set was well constructed and sound effects appropriate and on cue. A mixture of comedy and mystery, this play kept you guessing through all the twists and turns and I congratulate the full production team for maintaining the audiences’ full interest throughout the whole evening. An excellent show! Well done!

Thank you for the invitation. It was a very pleasant and enjoyable evening even though tinged with a little sadness as this was to be my last production I will see with this company before I move away.

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