Photograph by Nobby Clarke.
Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *
Cast: Howard Chadwick, Andrew Price, Clara Darcy, Andy Cresswell, Anthony Hunt, Susie Emmett, Jill Cardo, Kraig Thornber, Andy Cryer, Richard Colvin, Jon Trenchard, Tim Frances.
Whenever Northern Broadsides comes to the Liverpool Playhouse or its fantastic times up at the Everyman Theatre, the city’s audiences fall over themselves in their droves to make sure they are one of the fortunate ones to witness a night of exceptional theatre. In the latest classic that gets a welcome Northern representation, the brilliant ensemble; under the excellent tutelage of the director and composer Conrad Nelson, wrapped themselves in the cosy and biting satirical humour of Gogol’s inspired comedy A Government Inspector. This guidance extended to the actors doubling up and performing as a bass band during the performance. An exceptional feat to include into a show!
The unnamed town, so small that people in the city of Leeds, so close to them in the same county, have no idea they exist let alone the so called seat of power of London, is run in what could be kindly called an authoritarian style but built with the odd bit of corruption thrown in for good measure. Into this mix comes wastrel and professional rogue Jonathon Alexander Snapper Esq., portrayed with sartorial elegance by Jon Trenchard, a man so accustomed to appearing as something that he is not, that when he finds himself mistaken for someone else, he can’t quite help himself but to take full advantage of the situation.
The cast were faultless, a true acting performance in a play that could be easily turned into unforgettable farce if handled without care. Howard Chadwick as the leader of the town was in impressive loathsome and oily mode as he kept the folk under close scrutiny and an even closer tight hand. Clara Darcy was stupendous as the wily Councillor Phillipa Strawberry and her one on one moment with Jon Trenchard gave her real and satisfying depth.
Perhaps the real star of this version of A Government Inspector; lies not in the exceptional cast who were truly heroic in their collective performances, nor in the outstanding set design which ranks amongst the best Northern Broadsides have bought to the stage but in Deborah McAndrew’s rather breathtaking adaptation of Nikolai Gogol’s Russian classic. Not only was she able to transport the play from the back waters of The Russian Empire to the semi rural retreats of Yorkshire but to do it with integrity and style and in such a way to make every actor share the limelight takes a writer of distinction and an abundance of writing pedigree.
Northern Broadsides never fail to deliver in their mission to entertain and enthral. In A Government Inspector the team hit the mark time and time again, a classic with a tremendous Northern twist. Brutally funny and a real gem in the lead up to the festive season!
Ian D. Hall