This new adaptation of Nikolai Gogol’s play highlights how its themes are still relevant to this day – but feels a little flat in places.
With its focus on corruption, abuse of power and swindling there are flashes of moments when you can see similarities in today’s politics and the lengths that politicians go to to protect themselves from scandals coming out.
In Patrick Myles’s adaptation, an English town is sent into uproar with the upcoming arrival of a government inspector who could undo the corrupt system that Governor Swashprattle has been operating. However, he and his councillors have mistakingly identified Percy Fopdoodle as the high ranking inspector and go out of their way to bribe him – but in reality Fopdoodle is not who they think he is leading to many comical moments that the cast fully embrace.
So why did the production feel flat? Visually, the stage felt relatively empty and could have been made more of for a start a little bit bolder to embrace the comedy and flamboyancy of the characters a lot more for example, while the pacing of the production could have been a lot sharper as well – particularly during the early scenes, which can take a little too long to get to the point.
On the other hand, it still does offer some silly fun throughout that does bring a smile to the face – with some cracking lines that the well put together cast deliver brilliantly, while the bits of physical comedy have been well choreographed and showcase the great energy and exuberance that is consistent. The flashes of comparisons to corruption that exists in politics is well highlighted, but could have gone into a bit more detail to give the show a bit more bite.
The cast that Patrick Myles has brought together are all superb in their own way (although on one or two occasions some could slow down the delivery of their lines to ensure that audience doesn’t miss a joke). Co-stars of BBC’s Ghosts Kiell Smith-Bynoe and Martha Howe-Douglas as Percy Fopdoodle and Anna Swashprattle respectively really embrace the over the top nature of the play and characters beautifully – both showcasing their comic flair perfectly.
But they are also surrounded by plenty of other talent, with Dan Skinner also standing out for the way in which he brings out the weakness of the governor’s personality and using it to comic effect and Peter Clements and Dan Starkey making for a great double act as Ivan Brabble and Ivan Grubble.
Overall, this version of The Government Inspector is entertaining but I was expecting it to be a bit more consistently lively in terms of the script overall – yet the cast all deliver performances that make for an enjoyable evening.
By Emma Clarendon
The Government Inspector continues to play at the Marylebone Theatre until the 15th June. This ticket was gifted in return for this honest review.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐