"The Government Inspector" by Nikolai Gogol (17-20 Apr 2024)
Poster
This is my second stab at directing for the St Michael’s Players, and once again I’ve chosen a Philip Goulding adaptation (it’s OK, I’m not on commission). I was simply drawn to Gogol’s classic plot of mistaken identity, now realised in Mid-Victorian England, not long after the end of the Crimean War. Queen Victoria is a young mother, railways are still a novelty and many towns exist in their own little bubble. Goulding’s wacky staging, grotesque characters and old-fashioned, provincial words proved a popular choice at one of our play reading evenings, so I was delighted to take on the mantle of directing it in this v-vi-vic-vicinity. Once again I’m indebted to the resourcefulness of the crew and the enthusiasm from the cast. I hope, like the good townsfolk, you’ll be ‘more than satisfied’.
Philip Goulding is a playwright, librettist and screenwriter. Stage plays include Beneath the Waves, Then He Kissed Me, Went Down to the Crossroads, Waiting for Elvis and Strange Lands. Strange Lands won First Prize in the International Theatre Institute Playwriting Competition 2002 and was produced by N1 Theatre Company at the Courtyard Theatre, London in 2005. Adaptations include Beauty and the Beast, Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan, The True Tales of Robin Hood, The Wind in the Willows, Hansel & Gretel, Whisky Galore, The Mayor of Casterbridge and The Titfield Thunderbolt. For television: Remaining Glimpses (joint first prize winner in the 1988 Radio Times TV Drama Awards) and Keeper (Channel 4). Co-writer of the BBC documentary Deadliest Crash: The Le Mans 1955 Disaster (Bigger Picture Films). |
Reviews
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"The Government Inspector’ is absolutely brilliant! Really fun, great costumes and make-up, super set, seamless scene transitions and fantastic acting. Sparkling performances by all!" Tessa D |
listen again |
Interview with our director on Riverside radio. www.mixcloud.com/riversideradio/spotlight-show-featuring-st-michaels-players-and-putney-arts-theatre-09042024/
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Programme |
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CastPhyllis Stein (Tracey Logan)
Rose Quigley (Elizabeth Ollier) Mayor Antony Wyndham-Pitts (Alastair Dewar) Postman Piers Prior (Dina Fahmy) Mrs Robson (Imogen Measday) Mr Robson (Gareth Sammer) Policeman/Sergeant’s Widow (Rachel Fay) Albert Markham/Haden (Jim Simpson) Anna Wyndham-Pitts (Vicki Belcher) Maria Wyndham-Pitts (Alice Klapwyk) Joseph/Official Messenger (Chris Jones) John Petty (Richard Scott) Young Willy Wilson/Smithee’s Wife (Christine Lee) Tanner (Alex Jupp) |
CrewDirector (Guy Fairbank)
Stage Manager (Jo Harry) Lighting (Andy Rooney, Ian Trowbridge) Sound (Ian Trowbridge) Set (Alicia Sammer, Gareth Sammer, Chris Hulatt) Props (Susan Johnson, Marcella Richardson) Costumes (Vicki Belcher, Pennie Bayliss and the cast) Hair and make-up (Teena Heer, Alicia Sammer) Publicity (Tessa Dunn) Front of House (Members & Friends of St Michael's Players) |