REVIEW: THE GOVERNMENT INSPECTOR by Nickolai Gogol at Marylebone Theatre 3 May – 15 June 2024

‘expect music hall hilarity and a new setting for Gogol’s masterpiece’ ★★★★

An interesting take on Gogol’s classic by director Patrick Myles who has adapted it to be much closer to home.  The eponymous inspector is now arriving from London rather Petersburg and there follows an Anglicised version of the play. It’s music hall (with a little Commedia dell’arte thrown in) with all the larger-than-life familiar characters and style of presentation.

Briefly, it’s a story about hypocrisy, corruption, and greed. How the mighty (from the Governor to the warden of the hospital) misuse their power for monetary gain, their good works are a scam, leaving the poor, poorer and maltreated. When a Government inspector arrives, we see their desperate attempts to win his silence, but this is a case of mistaken identity.  The exploiters become the exploited.

The stage is picture framed which promises a slice of life, but this isn’t exactly what is offered, in this OTT production.   Dan Sjinner as Governor Swashprattle is wonderfully bombastic. Martha Howe-Douglas is a gem as Mrs Anna Swashprattle. Her comedy role in the television series Ghosts makes her seem very familiar as the character is not too distant. In league with this, her fellow actor in the series, Kiell Smith-Bynoe joins her as Percy Fopdoodle (the visitor mistaken for the Inspector). He is a little indistinct at times (for older ears) but offers much comedy gold. Some of the most amusing lines are between himself and his man, Fudgel (played by Daniel Millar).   In this very physical production, a couple of the most endearingly hilarious moments arrive with the valet’s care of his ‘master’, brushing his teeth, spoon feeding him and giving him a massage (with the actor’s body strangely contorted).

Admittedly purists might be disappointed and might feel frustrated by the end of the first act, which is often the point at which plays lose their sparkle. However, the second act really delivers, much as expected with a final push in hilarity and madness with classic clowning. The falls are skilfully engineered, thanks to movement director Kate Tydman, and then, just what we’ve all been waiting for, the moment when the Governor (and his entourage) discover the mistake that they have made. It’s the cream of the show and surely results in the entire audience going home on a high.   A very high-quality production, with wonderful casting from consultant Matilda James.

Photographer: Oliver King

REVIEW: THE GOVERNMENT INSPECTOR by Nickolai Gogol at Marylebone Theatre 3 May – 15 June 2024

Box Office https://www.marylebonetheatre.com/productions/the-government-inspector

CAST

Kiell Smith-Bynoe

Percy Fopdoodle

Dan Skinner

Governor Swashprattle

Martha Howe-Douglas

Mrs Swashprattle

Peter Clements

Ivan Brabble

Chaya Gupta

Miss Swashprattle

David Hartley

Reverend Jargogle

Nigel Hastings

Dr Mumpsimus

Christopher Hunter

Postmaster Cumberworld

Daniel Millar

Fudgel

Anna Savva

Judge Woofit

Dan Starkey

Ivan Grubble

Alison Ward

Cyril/Marigold

THEATRE CREATIVES

Nikolai Gogol

Writer

Patrick Myles

Director

Melanie Jane Brookes

Set and Costume Designer

Ric Mountjoy

Lighting Designer

Jamie Lu

Sound Designer

Matilda James

Casting Consultant

Kate Tydman

Movement Director

John Sandeman

Fight Director

Henry Eaton-Mercer

Associate Director

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Alexander "Sandy" Marshall, Bird & Carrot, David Luff and Wild Yak present

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