New version for the London stage

Comedy stars Vicki Pepperdine, Kiell Smith-Bynoe and Dan Skinner are to headline a new production of the satirical play The Government Inspector this spring.

The new version of  Nikolai Gogol’s 1836 classic is set in a small parochial town in late 19th Century Britain, where the corrupt local officials mistake an over-privileged, vainglorious liar, who just happens to be passing through the town, for a high-ranking government inspector. 

Desperate to cover up their crimes and escape censure, the town’s governor and his cronies pull out all the stops to try and bribe this dishonest buffoon with money, wine and women.

It was apparently inspired by a real encounter when the writer Alexander Pushkin was mistaken for a government official in a provincial town and then told his friend Gogol all about it.

Pepperdine will play Mrs Swashprattle, Dan Skinner is Governor Swashprattle and Smith-Bynoe will be Percy Fopdoodle in the new production.

Directed by Patrick Myles, it runs at the Marylebone Theatre from May 3 to June 15.

Published: 14 Mar 2024