The Government Inspector, variously translated as The Inspector General or the Inspector is a play written by Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol, who was born in 1809, and originated in Ukraine.
After being ignored, feeling humiliated and ignored at some of his first works that he begun to write, Nikolai wrote found his turn around when he wrote two books and two essays, including The Government Inspector. The Government Inspector managed to grab the Tzar's attention, who liked it so much that he requested that it be made into a play, the first ever production being performed in 1836.
The Government Inspector is a satirical play, so highly emphasised that, the Tzar was able to see and feel that not only did it ridicule himself, but everyone also. The emphasis on the political truth being played on is what obviously stuck out to the Tzar and demanded that it be performed.
Gogol wanted The Government Inspector to be an awareness of everything bad that was happening in Russia. It was a way of venting his failings of how he felt Russia had failed not only him but everyone. Gogol was "...aware of at that time, all the injustices being perpetrated in those places and circumstances that especially cried out for justice...Through the laughter, which I had never before vented with such force, the reader could feel my deep sorrow".
Having sought inspiration from Pushkin for a new satrical play, Gogol was able to build his essay, loosely basing the elements of the play on Alexander Pushkin (who was a Russian author and was a strong influence of Russian literature), who was accidentally mistaken for a government inspector in 1833.
The Government Inspector is about a small Russian Town in a frenzy about a Inspector arriving incognito, very soon to investigate their town.
The Mayor who has been tipped by a friend about the Inspectors visit, and advised to clean up the town and hide any incriminating evidence that might tarnish his name. From there a meeting is then conducted of how to represent the town and make a good impression such as The Judge getting rid of geese, Zemlyanika in giving patients clean nightcaps etc. As the Judge is quick to point out the flaws of his counterparts, so are the other public officials who remind the Judge that he takes monetary bribes and had the wife of a non-commissioned officer flogged. On request, the mayor advises the postmaster to open all letters in hopes to suss out the Inspector so they have the upperhand. However the advice is pointless as the Postmaster makes it his mission to read all letters regardless.
From there, events begin to spiral out of control.
From what we can gather in the play, the officials of the small Russian town that the Inspector comes to visit, are corrupt. This is evident when The Judge, The Constable, Bobchinsky and Dobchinsky etc, come forward one by one and decide to clear their names while burying their co-workers names into the dirt. While they feel they are being smart, a typical adage of the right time, right place was perfect for Khlestakov, an opportunity of which he certainly takes advantage to his benefit.
The stage directions of Bobchinsky peeping around the door, straining to listen are of importance to the play which plays on the deception of Khlestakov who has been overheard before hand by the brothers that he is from St. Petersburg. The stage directions are important here, showing the spread of misinformation as Bobchinsky and Dobchinsky are the key to relaying the occurrences to others, thus creating chaos and disorder from beginning to end. The audience is given insight into who Khlestakov is really by Osip who is his servant, who reveals that Khlestakov has gambled away his money, always broke, always selling his clothes to get funds. Instantly the audience is able to see that Khlestakov is indeed broke and cannot pay his bill, after some persuasion, the waiter unwillingly brings him some poorly made meals that brings Khlestakov into uproar thus him meeting the Mayor. From there, the small Russian town is turned upside down and everything is admist as Khlestakov plays the situation to his advantage, even taking money in the process.
There are many techniques used within the play.
During Act One, when the Mayor does arrive at the Inn to meet with Khlestakov, there is dramatic irony present because they are both terrified of one another. The Mayor thinking he is meeting the Government Inspector; Khlestakov thinking he going to be imprisoned. The irony is continued throughout the play during the interactions of the townspeople and Khlestakov.
There are a lot of 'Asides' as these reveal the inner thoughts of the characters that only the audience are aware of. This allows the audience to see an internalised thought of a character externalised and reveals more insight into the situation at hand. Hyperbole, Khlestakov's description of the food that he receives at the inn is highly exaggerated, considering he was complaining that he was hungry. This highlights one of the momentous desires of the characters within the play as a whole, the desire for self-gratification, seeking only the best, even though they don't deserve it. Dobchinsky also exaggerates aspects of Khlestakov's character when he is talking to Anna and Marya, adding to Khlestakov's mistaken identity.
During that time period of Russia, civil servants were divided into subsequent ranks. Khlestakov was of the lowest, 14th whilst the other town people are of higher ranks, such as 6th for the Mayor, 8th for the Judge. The social ranks could be identified based on dress and the fact that they could speak French. Hence Khlestakov use of French at certain points in the play which helps contribute to his deception, and the theme of.
Osip, obviously involved in his Masters plans of deceiving the town, uses it also to his advantage to elevate his status although he is only a man-servant. He hides behind Khlestakov's false picture, realising he can get a better treatment than he's been getting and like everyone else feels he is deserving of that better treatment thus taking away any sympathy the audience has for Osip away all at once. This is also seen in the conversation Osip has with the Mayor, his wife and his daughter, when the Mayor asks what does his Master like.
During scenes with Khlestakov and the public officials that visit him privately, Khlestakov takes his role of the Inspector to the very extreme as he asks each one boldly for money. He plays on the stupidity of the public officials who not once question why he should be asking for money, which makes sense as they themselves do the same thing. If one was honest, maybe they would've seen this and aroused suspicion but when one is familiar with such deceitful works, it's simply monkey see, monkey do and don't question at all the motives behind such scandalous affairs. Gogol uses this situation to represent how the government allowed people to take advantage of the system for their own benefit.
Anna Andreyevna and Marya Andreyevna have a very interesting relationship and it was this that drew me into picking either one of these characters to play. Anna Andreyevna is the Mayor's wife and Marya Andreyevna is their daughter. As I didn't have time to thoroughly read the play, I was more drawn to Marya, however upon further reading the script properly, I really enjoyed Anna Andrevyena's character and would've loved to have developed her character. However after finding out that I'd be playing Marya, and saw how much lines I had, I thought I would see the silver lining in it as I did have auditions to prepare for and didn't want to overload myself. Initially I had thought I could do so much more with Marya, but due to personal circumstances and auditions, I wasn't there for most rehearsals which I felt hindered the development of my role. So much so that when I did have rehearsal opportunities which was around technical rehearsals there wasn't much I could do with my character. I had to find ways to quickly develop my character in that space of time and in scenes with other people.
It was very stressful and infuriating trying to develop my character, especially as I thought that Marya didn't have much lines and the lines of importance she may have held was cut out. I enjoyed being able to show Rob a snippet of my independent rehearsals during the short period where he saw me especially the scene between Khlestakov and Marya. Being able to work with my fellow actors, I was able to help to add a sense of completeness to scenes I was in and could develop the scenes and interactions between other characters more effectively bringing emphasis to the themes such as class and stupidity.
What helped me with the basic development of my character was noting the interesting relationship she had with her mother. It seemed to be a very competitive relationship; especially a jealous one that becomes evident when they both fight for the affection and attention of Khlestakov.
Gogol describes Anna Andreyevna as a woman 'who displays now and then a vain disposition'. Her concern with appearance is indicated by the stage direction that she apparently changes her dress four times during the play, however we don't do this at the production at Westminster Kingsway, Anna only changing once when she hears that the Government Inspector has arrived and inquiries about it. She shamelessly openly flirts with Khlestakov, and when he informs her of his engagement to Marya, she approves, only caring about the benefits from the marriage she will enjoy in St Petersburg.
Marya seems to be in direct competition with her mother, so much so that she spends her time and effort focusing on improving her appearance to please the men in town. The relationship is pitiful that one could be sympathetic towards her, but at best, it is very amusing as an audience to watch such a relationship between mother and daughter that the under tones of the conversation is more pitifully humerous than saddening to watch.
I also took contrasting notes between Marya and Anna to that of Bobchinsky and Dobchinsky. Where one was, the other would not be far behind, and it seemed that even they competed to be spoken and heard by overlapping one another and mimicking each other. Marya and Anna seem to have similar circumstances such as when they was speaking to Osip and was competing with his attention.
Playing the role of Marya, I felt, wasn't really a challenge for me at the end of it all. It was a theatrical masturbation in the sense that I was doing it for fun and felt that I hadn't developed myself as an actress as I had done with A Midsummer Night's Dream. I felt the role was in some ways similar to Helena, who competed with Hermia to get Demetrius attention. When I noticed that, I instantly wanted Anna's part although the vices were similar to that of Marya's objective. If I was to ever do this play again, I would defiantly pick another character.
For next time, I would develop my character and try and work on my development independently no matter what other commitments I have. I would commit more time to any role given to me which I have taken as an important lesson.
