"The Government Inspector" by Nikolai Gogol (17-20 Apr 2024)

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​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
"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

"… what a fantastic evening. Great play - and the cast were so funny. It was such fun - wouldn’t have missed it" Gina M, Nutfield

"Good job Guy. We had a great time and managed to avoid the spit!" inda H, Cheam

"top performance, effortless & so funny" Kiran S

"Tremendous fun & a really great production all round" Penny H

"Well done - that was a huge amount of work and there were some stand out performances so I hope the cast and director are proud of their work” James H-S

"Perfect timing & mannerisms" Vicky T 

"Fabulous  - I so enjoyed it" Maggie T

"I was so impressed" Angela M

“Brilliant and hilarious production ! Excellent characterisation, costumes, staging, music, authentic accents - audience laughing out loud and spontaneous  bursts of applause. Another triumph for St Michael’s Players!” Sue S

"There’s nothing amateur about this brisk staging of “The Government Inspector". The talented cast leave the audience in stitches as they bring the witty script to vigorous life. Small town pretensions and petty corruption are laid bare in excruciating embarrassing detail by astute characterisations and knowing comic timing. Congratulations to all involved!" Richard S

"​Huge congratulations to all involved in the Government Inspector. It was a complete joy and the fun you were all having  on stage was very infectious. Loved Elizabeth swallowing the paper 😆 made me hoot with laughter. Vicki’s heaving bosom 😆and being spat on by Rachel 😉 and many more. Congratulations Guy, cast and crew " Neil C

"Congratulations to everyone involved in TGI. What a joyful show! I went on Wednesday and it was clear, as others have pointed out, how much fun you were having. There is so much to highlight. 
First, congratulations to Guy for his great direction: I thought the staging was really thoughtful but above all, the overall world creation was perfect, showing us that you don’t need to name a place or time to transport us there.  
I am delighted someone has managed to persuade Richard Scott to be in an SMP production. I’ve tried and failed for years. He was brilliant, commanding the whole stage, and his gorgeous voice brought his many-layered character vividly to life. Let’s keep him!
Alastair also gave a performance worthy of those chops. A massive undertaking that produced a character as uneasy with himself as with the world around him. 
Vicky gave another hilarious, hyper-expressive performance, always a joy. And Alice was a treat as the coquettish 18 year-old (despite being, I believe, 32 herself). Chris was a wonderful counterpoint of stillness and dignity, a perfect foil to all around. Elizabeth was of course perfect, with her ringlets and minxy ways. 
A big shout-out, by the way, to Teena and the rest of the hair and makeup crew. The wigs and hair and chops were brilliant, the best we’ve seen, I think, and essential to the magic. 
So many other performances, too many to mention them all. I thought Imogen was a revelation, by far the best thing she’s done. Brilliant. Of course we all adored the brazen daylight robbery of those scene-stealers, Rachel and Christine. Hilarious. A highlight of the evening. 
Tracey was also a wonderful addition. What a beautiful voice!  
And the set! The most glorious set! Congratulations. It shows us all what we can do with imagination and effort. 
Congratulations to everyone involved." Paul S

"Wonderful job, all, on last night’s performance! Always a special joy when you can so clearly feel the cast relishing the show whilst performing it. Enjoyed everyone’s performance very much, with special props to Chris Jones for his straight man comedic chops!! And I also particularly loved y’all’s handling of all the audience asides. Great ensemble work xx" Allison D

"Massive well done everyone! Some great characters and laughs and a wonderful immersive look and feel!" AB

"Really wonderful show! The performances, the costumes, the set! Loved it all!" Arabella H

"Huge congratulations to all the cast of TGI, a fabulous show last night that had us all in stitches from start to finish, towering performances from all on stage, old pros and newbies alike - well done Guy and all!! Fantastico!!" David B

"Absolutely brilliant and hilarious… loved it!! 👏🌞👏xx" Sue S

"Fabulous performances by all, loved it…huge congratulations to all on and off stage. 👏👏xxx" Cressida S

"Congratulations to everyone on The Government Inspector. Great first night 👏👏👏" Claire R

"St. Michael's Players performed an exhilarating interpretation of Gogol's 'The Goverment Inspector' with a provincial northern town setting. Strong performances across the cast coupled with simple but effective staging and costumes combined to make a thoroughly memorable evening. This production embodied the essential appeal of community theatre with laughs, audience engagement and a sense of fun exuding from all - from the players to the crew to the box office and bar staff. A play with as much relevance in today's politically stressed world as when it was first written and performed ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐" John C

"A very enjoyable evening, laugh out loud funny with few nerves on the first night! The rest of the week can only get better!’" Ania L

"Well done everybody, the play was brilliant and so funny. Brilliant acting!!! ⭐" Anny A-S

Pictures

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
2404_tgi_prog.pdf
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File Type: pdf
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Cast

Phyllis 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)

Crew

Director (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)