Book description
This version of A Government Inspector is a Yorkshire take on Gogol's
1836 fantastical Russian satire. The setting is here transposed to a
small northern town in the twenty-first century, geographically and
culturally remote from the centre of government. Into a small Pennine
town a mysterious stranger is mistaken for a government inspector.
Fearing discovery of their corrupt goings-on, the town's unscrupulous
councillors attempt to ingratiate themselves. Bribes, backhanders and
brown envelopes abound, and the young chap, who has an eye for a quick
buck, takes full advantage with hilarious results. Deborah McAndrew's
version of A Government Inspector goes beyond literal translation, but
is absolutely faithful to Gogol's stated intention to peel away the
surface layers of ordinary people and expose the corruption beneath.
It's exuberant, brilliantly witty and original, and audiences will revel
in the references to government officials' expenses claims and women's
beach volley ball...Northern Broadsides, one of the country's finest and
best-loved touring theatre companies, breathes life and vigour into this
nearly 200-year-old story. Absurdly funny, clever and strangely
familiar, this feels to be the next One Man Two Guvnors. The production
premieres at Harrogate Theatre from 7 - 22 September before embarking on
an English national tour until December 1st. Deborah McAndrew's first
break as a writer came in 2004 when Northern Broadsides produced her
adaptation of The Bells by Leopold Lewis. Deborah's adaptation of Oliver
Twist (directed by Josette Bushell-Mingo) played at the Octagon Theatre,
Bolton as their 2009/10 Christmas show. Her play, Flamingoland premiered
at the New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme in 2008.
