The Government Inspector was never meant to happen. The Philadelphia Story, was set to be the theatrical hit of the summer, with its star-studded cast and hot young director. Until the rights suddenly fell through. Enter The Government Inspector – though not the play you might be expecting.
Based loosely on the Nikolai Gogol play of the same name, this new amalgam goes something like this: Just weeks out from opening night, an ensemble of actors is presented with the script for a play they were never supposed to perform.
To save the day, a star director is shipped in from St Petersburg. But is he really who he seems? The media throng sniffing around the production since they got a whiff of the whole calamity is sure to uncover the truth.
A chaotic comedy of errors that deconstructs Gogol’s original, The Government Inspector will have you questioning where reality ends and theatricality begins. In the hands of a stellar cast and the ever-inventive Simon Stone, this postmodern mash-up will be a laugh-out-loud game of pretend.
“I’ve been looking for the opportunity to direct The Government Inspector for a long time,” says Stone.
“I’m incredibly excited that we now are able to take this show on with such a talented group of individuals attached. It’s such a witty and cutting play, with real relevance to the political circus we see around us, day after day, and the peculiar predicament we have found ourselves in.”
Like Gogol’s imposter protagonist, The Government Inspector proves you can fake it ’til you make it!
Creator: Simon Stone after Nikolai Gogol Director: Simon Stone Featuring: Fayssal Bazzi, Mitchell Butel, Gareth Davies, Robert Menzies, Zahra Newman, Eryn-Jean Norvill, Greg Stone Set Design: Ralph Myers Lighting Design: Paul Jackson Sound Designer & Composer: Stefan Gregory Choreography: Lucy Guerin Costume Design: Mel Page Dramaturg: Marion Potts
The Government Inspector
Merlyn – The Malthouse Theatre, 113 Sturt Street, Southbank
Season: 28 February – 23 March 2014
For more information and bookings, visit: www.malthousetheatre.com.au
Belvoir St Theatre, 25 Belvoir St, Surry Hills
Season: 27 March – 18 May 2014
For more information and bookings, visit: www.belvoir.com.au
The Playhouse Theatre – Geelong Performing Arts Centre, 50 Little Malop St, Geelong
Season: 22 – 24 May 2014
For more information and bookings, visit: www.gpac.org.au
The Playhouse – Canberra Theatre Centre, London Circuit, Canberra
Season: 28 – 31 May 2014
For more information and bookings, visit: www.canberratheatrecentre.com.au
IMB Theatre – Illawarra Performing Arts Centre
Season: 4 – 7 June 2014
For more information and bookings, visit: www.merrigong.com.au
Image: courtesy of The Malthouse Theatre