Sometimes humans just never change.
Timeless farcical romp.
Classic Ukrainian writer Nikolai Gogol has been known for his whimsical stories since his time as a famed but deluded writer in the Russian Empire in the first half of the 19th century. His masterpiece play, “The Government Inspector”, is one of his most timeless works, endlessly reworked and restaged across the globe for almost 200 years. The Marylebone Theatre’s new production takes you on a glorious, farcical journey that still rings true today.
In a sleepy regional town, Governor Swashprattle, played by Dan Skinner, holds an iron grip on his fellow counsellors, expunging the town for all its worth and without a care for the citizens of the town. This is all upended when a government inspector comes to town, or so they think. Accidentally masquerading as the official in question, Percy Fopdoodle, played by Kiell Smith-Bynoe of “Ghosts” fame, is a drunk and a compulsive liar, spinning tall tales that have the people of the town at his feet. The set-up is taken to its logical extremes, bursting with moments which will have you exclaiming “Oh My God!”.
Rounding out the lead ensemble is Martha Howe-Douglas as the governor’s wife, putting on a stellar performance. In honesty, everyone in the cast fills their roles expediently, with every member of the town’s authority, the head of the church, the head of the court and more, played to comic perfection.
Smith Bynoe’s fake government inspector is an absolute stand-out, excelling at playing a slimy swindler. Skinner’s governor is raucous and rampant, providing the play with some stand-out moments of comedy.
Although it fits well for the genre of the farce, at numerous times the actors’ dialogue was delivered far too quickly to understand, providing the play with a rapid pace and energy at the expense of understandability.
All in all, director and adaptor Patrick Myles’ new version of “The Government Inspector” is a stand-out night of classic farcical comedy, served by some of the best comic actors possible for the roles.