The Stage

The Government Inspector

Published Wednesday 17 February 2010 at 12:00 by Gareth K Vile

Despite a plot that features government corruption, dishonest businessmen and an unscrupulous civil servant, Adrian Mitchell’s version of Gogol’s classic remains rooted in Russia, even though it occasionally engages with contemporary anxiety about political deceit. Gerry Mulgrew’s direction emphasises slapstick humour - John Bett’s vaudeville villain of a governor has the best lines, while Tim Licata and Mark Prendergast are an effective double act as gossiping landowners. The action never flags and the scene changes are hidden by the cast’s entertaining musical interludes.

A scene from The Government Inspector at Tron Theatre, Glasgow Photo: Kirsty Nichol

The simple plot of mistaken identity allows a series of episodes to reveal the hilarious and petty corruption hidden in the heart of the small town. The apparent arrival of the inspector provides the opportunity for the local politicians to expose their dishonesty and Andy Clark’s pompous and arrogant minor clerk Khlestakov is happy to take advantage. The burlesque of the performances ensures that their cruelty is funny rather than vicious. Even the hypocritical romance between Khlestakov and the governor’s daughter is played for laughs.

The entire cast bring out the detail in their caricatures - Gerda Stevenson is appropriately lusty and ill-tempered as the governor’s wife and Malcolm Shield’s judge is both officious and childish. Clark never allows his anti-hero to become too sympathetic and the energy of the cast speed events to their inevitable ironic conclusion.

The combination of Russian melodies and quick-fire comedy makes this splendid entertainment, performed by a confident and winning ensemble, as it emphasises the absurdity of the corrupt with a merciless satirical bite.