A new production of Gogol’s The Government Inspector, produced by Birmingham REP in association with Ramps on the Moon—a network of seven theatres dedicated to increasing opportunities for disabled people—is to tour to Nottingham Playhouse.
David Harrower’s adaptation of Gogol’s biting moral satire is directed by Roxana Silbert, Birmingham REP’s artistic director, and uses audio description, captioning and British sign language.
The news that a government inspector is due to arrive in a small Russian town sends its bureaucrats into a panicked frenzy. The mayor’s fear is well-founded as he has been somewhat lacking in his official duties: the hospital is a health hazard, the school is a war zone, the soldiers do not have trousers to march in and he never quite got around to finishing his building programme.
However, a simple case of mistaken identity leads to matters spiralling out of control, exposing the hypocrisy and corruption at the heart of the town.
Roxana Silbert said, “The Government Inspector is a masterpiece and a play I’ve always wanted to direct. It’s a great satire about the personal and political ramifications of corruption in a world where everyone has lost their moral compass.
“David Harrower’s excellent adaptation is fresh and modern and we’re loving finding the theatrical possibilities opened up by putting accessible theatre at the heart of the production.”
Ramps on the Moon was formed to address the under-representation and employment of disabled people in the theatre industry.
The cast comprises Becky Barry, David Carlyle, Richard Clews, Stephen Collins, Rachel Denning, Rebekah Hinds, Daryl Jackson, Michael Keane, Ewan Marshall, Rhona McKenzie, Francesca Mills, Robin Morrissey, Kiruna Stamell, Simon Startin, Jean St Clair, Sophie Stone, Aaron Virdee and Amanda Wright.
Sound and music are by Ben and Max Ringham. Lighting designer is Chahine Yavroyan, set and costume designer is Ti Green, video designer is Timothy Bird, Ayse Tashkiran is movement director and associate director is Ewan Marshall.
The Government Inspector runs at Nottingham Playhouse from Wednesday 4 until Saturday 14 May.