The Government Inspector
The Government Inspector, also known as The Inspector General, is a satirical comedy by Russian playwright and novelist Nikolai Gogol which tells the story of what happens when the Mayor and several other self-important officials of a provincial Russian town mistake a small-time con artist for an important government official. Hypocrisies are exposed and foolishnesses revealed as the officials offer increasingly extravagant gifts in order to placate and impress their visitor while the visitor becomes increasingly reckless in his greed. Gogol’s aim in writing the play was to drag into light "all that was bad in Russia" and to hold it up to contempt. He clearly succeeded in rendering contemptible and ludicrous the official life of Tsarist Russia, the corruption universally prevailing throughout the civil service, the arrogance, deception, self-deception, and servility of men in office. In view of the recent scandals in the financial markets the play’s portrayal of human greed, stupidity, and the deep corruption of men in power has lost none of its contemporary poignancy.
The publication of the play led to a great outcry in the reactionary press. Surprisingly, it took the personal intervention of Tsar Nicholas I, against whom some of the blatant criticism in the play had been directed, to have it staged. When the play premiered at the Alexandrinsky Theatre, in Saint Petersburg, in 1836, the Tsar was among the first to see it. He was said to have commented that the play ridiculed everyone—most of all himself. And he still loved it!
Winter 2009 Production
By Nikolai Gogol
Directed by: Jim Warren
Performances: November 12-14, 19-21, 2009
Venue: Theatre of the Arts, Modern Languages Building
Cast:
Mayor - Chai Lavie
Khlyestakov - Reid Vanier
Anna - Kristi Dukovic
Maria - Rachel Barna
Ossip - Terry Reid
Bobchinsky/Shopkeeper - Sean Errey
Dobchinsky/Shopkeeper - Paul Carere
Judge/Shopkeeper - Shawn DeSouza-Coelho
Charity Commissioner/Shopkeeper - Jeremy Hawkins
Postmaster - Sarah Sosnoski
Waiter/Locksmith’s Wife/Superintendent’s Wife - Caitlin Robson
School’s Superintendent/Shopkeeper - Jeff Ulrich
Mishka/Sergeant's Widow - Katie Honek
Police Inspector/Abdulin - Joseph Lauria
Physician/Shopkeeper - Patrick Pinnell
Creative team:
Director - Jim Warren
Set Designer - Bill Chesney
Costume - Jocelyne Sobeski
Lighting Designer - Scott Spidell
Sound Designer - Andy Allen
Stage Manager - Darcy Patrick
Assistant Stage Managers - Kate Burns, Lisa Gillis, Joy Smith
Assistant Director - Dave Metcalfe
Assistant Sound Designer - Thomas Fawcett
Production team:
Production Manager - Jennifer O’Connor
Student Production Manager - Heather Muir
Technical Director - Andy Allen
Head Carpenter - Gill Lesperance
Publicity - Robin Atchison
Poster Design - Yen Chu
Program - Jessica Smith
House Manager - Jillaine Yee
Student Carpentry Head - Dave Metcalfe
Carpentry Crew - Lauren Charette, Aviva Dreksler, Jenny Hunter, Chai Lavie, Patrick Pinnell
Student Head of Paint - Hannah Michielsen
Paint Crew - David Bui, Laura Callaghan, Anthony Fick,
Student Head of Props: Fran Barker
Props Crew - Vikki Hastings, Mark Moon, Laura Reitzel, Ian Richards, Sarah Sosnoski, Reid Vanier
Student Head of Wardrobe - Ada Tsang
Wardrobe Crew - Emily Brame, Krysten Brown, Sasha Henry, Brittany Leite, Melody Mui, Jana Zacharias
Student Head of Lighting/Operator: Hannah Michielsen
Lighting Crew - Stefanie Ioannides, Tallen Kay, Lilly Markle, Jenn Schmolling, Jess Singh
Sound Crew - Katie Honek, David Morgan (Operator)
Student Head of Publicity: Jessica Smith
Publicity Crew - Tom Duff, Adele Robert
SPECIAL THANKS
Habitat for Humanity, Gerd Hauck, Anne-Marie Lesperance, Jocelyne Sobeski’s Costume Design Class, Harper Snedden