"The Government Inspector" by Nikolai Gogol
Nottingham Lace Market Theatre

"The Government Inspector" also dubbed " A Little Local Difficulty" is a play that I've seen several times over the years, but this particular production is just a little different as it's been adapted especially for the Lace Market Theatre, bringing the alternate title into play and localising the script, as well as the accents.

As I say, I've seen the play several times, the last time I think was eight years ago. I've not seen it performed this speedily, or with so much comedy. It was quite exhausting watching the pace that this cast worked at.

This play was first performed in 1836 and it still stands the test of time. Once controversial, now not so, but still very topical in 2023.

The Mayor is in a cold sweat. News has reached him of an imminent visit from a Government Inspector. His fears are well-founded as he has let his official duties slip just a tad. The hospital’s a health hazard, the school’s a war zone, the soldiers don’t have trousers to march in and he never quite got around to building that church either!

In the past bribery has resolved all of his issues, so surely, they can resort to the old standby with this one? Not so simple this time though because a case of mistaken identity leads to further complications and situations start to spiral out of control!

One thing I like about this cast is that there's a mix of new faces as well as seasoned Lace Market Theatre regulars, and some not so regular, but great to see them back on stage again.

In this version the first two characters we see are the stagehands, Sid (James Whitby) and Jack (Micah Darmola) who reveal the wonderful set by opening the stage curtains; I can't remember the last time the Lace Market Theatre used stage curtains. They are also the last ones we see as they close the curtains.

It's a large cast; a large and wonderfully manic cast consisting of the following; Louis Street (Petty), Jamie Goodliffe (Mayor Wyndham-Pitts), Chloe McKiernan (Maria Wyndham-Pitts), Amanda Pearce (Anna Wyndham-Pitts), Charlotte Thomas (Phyllis Stein/Mrs Robson) - there are some lovely comic moments used to explain when both Mrs Robson and Phyllis are supposed to be on stage at the same time - Jonathan Cleaver (Joseph/Postmaster Piers Prior), Richard Young (Mr Robson), Emma Rayner (Rose Quigley), Melvin Rawlinson (Young Willy Wilson/Smithee's Wife), Micah Darmola (Police Officer/Sergeant's Widow/Hadan/Stagehand Jack), James Whitby (Albert Markham/Tanner/Stagehand Sid) and Matthew Hunt, slipping in a cameo as the Government Official. A brilliant ensemble presentation.

Among many wonderfully comic scenes is one involving Young Willy Wilson, Petty and Joseph involving the delivery of a meal. Melvin delivers, not only the meal but a brilliant lesson on how to character play an aging waiter with shaky hands in a scene that reminded me of the one from "One Man Two Guvnors". Paced perfectly that had me almost holding my breath, uncertain that the meal was actually going to make it to the table.

I need to address the physical comedy talents of Louis Street. This man is a comedy master with his visibly physical comedy prowess; from his face to his gangly legs; he reminded me of a comic grasshopper with his physical stature. Louis is a real discovery; I've certainly not heard or seen him before, and I hope that I get to see more of this young comedy actor onstage in the future.

Jamie Goodliffe's performance also shows what a good comedy and character actor he is. The script, which was not always an easy ride was delivered, as with all the cast, with ease and perfect timing.

Directed by Matthew Huntbach, and assisted by Becky Gray, he made sure that there were no gaps anywhere at all, and if you blinked, you'd miss something, the pace was so fast. It was like watching your favourite Monty Python/Blackadder style comedy; it was manic with a sense of panto stirred in for good measure. Pure farce without all the doors.

The set design also added a cartoon feel to the absurdity, brilliantly designed by Nik Hedges.

The Lighting Design played a big part in this play, as did the timing of the application of the design. David Billen was spot on with this area of the technical team.

Darren Coxon's sound design was also applied with excellence with the off-stage sound effects and soundscape.

The play is set in the Victorian era and the clothes reflected this perfectly, thanks to Max Bromley's eye for a period costume.

There is so much in this wonderfully funny play that, if I mentioned every bit I found funny, I'd be here for a very long time, so I do urge you to get a ticket - and from what I have been told, they are very, very rare - if you can. If you like the manic comedy of Monty Python or Blackadder, you'll adore this production.

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Review: The Government Inspector or A Little Local Difficulty. The Lace Market Theatre. Nottingham

Humour as an art is subjective and that counts for plays with a strong comedic element as well as stand up. One person’s idea of going to the theatre and howling out loud like a total idiot every time the players open their mouths suits their entertainment needs, whilst others, like me, sit stony faced wondering what the heck is so funny whilst eking out the occasional appreciative smile. Ask around, this situation is not so uncommon. One man’s dislike of Lee Evans (all gurning, stupid voices, contortion and acrobatics) is another person’s love of Eddie Izzard (surreal self-effacing sense of humour mixed with a dry intelligence and gender awareness). You can’t like everything can you? What one finds funny as a teenager gradually ( and hopefully) evolves into something more mature and subtle as an adult.

The Lace Market Theatre’s current production of Nikolai Gogol’s The Government Inspector (or a little local difficulty) adapted by Philip Goulding runs at the Lace Market Theatre until Saturday 4th March 2023. It is directed by Matthew Huntbach with set design by Nik Hedges. The excellent lighting is by David Billen.

There are many good things in this imaginatively done show to appreciate either directly by watching (obvs) or on reflection. Nik Hedges’ off-kilter absurdist set and wonky table are perfect for this madcap style of production. There are some stand-out performances from Melvyn Rawlingson (Young Willy Wilson), Richard Young (Mr Robson), Amanda Pierce (Anna), Chloe McKiernan (Maria) and Louis Street (Petty). The ensemble are very well directed by Matthew Huntbach and all show a disciplined dedication to the cartoon-like way of presenting their characters and situations. As is very often the case with the high-quality Lace Market Theatre amateur productions the costumes are excellently chosen.

The pace is fast although I struggle a little to keep up with the storyline as the performance focus is heavily biased towards the physical comedy further abstracted by the playing style chosen by the company. As I mentioned at the start of this review – comedy as an artform is subjective. Very subjective. Not being a massive fan of broad physical comedy and OTT characterisation, much in this production leaves me feeling like the grumpy git sitting on J row whilst most of the audience grin, smile and laugh at the antics unfolding. I do however like the physical theatre aspects and these are well done taking a lot of discipline to learn and to perform every night. Thanks be to goodness we don’t all find the same things funny. It’d be a funny old world if we did. Or not… I don’t know – I’ve lost the plot… I might have left it under my seat in row J

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