A Government Inspector (Tour – Liverpool)

A Government Inspector is to visit a small Pennine town, that everybody else does their very best to avoid. Councillor Tony Belcher, leads his corrupt Councillors into bribery, backhanders and brown envelopes. When Jonathon Alexander Snapper Esq. checks into the Dog and Duck, with his sidekick Frank, he knows a good thing when he sees one and instantly plays up to the unscrupulous and unwitting folk, who have mistakenly recognised him as the Government Inspector himself.
 
The cast double up on most parts, all playing at least one musical instrument. All play their parts with gusto and are spot on with the lines which are fired at a terrific pace. Jon Trenchard plays young Snapper and really plays up the role, getting more absurd and funnier as the play goes on.
 
Designer Dawn Allsopp‘s excellent set also manages to add to the chaos that is going on stage. With it’s multiple drawers leading up to the ceiling, and papers spilling out they also skilfully double up as doors.
 
Deborah McAndrew has done a splendid job of adapting Nikolai Gogol‘s groundbreaking play and is up to date and full on with its political satire. It’s not an easy task to include a brass band on stage, but with such an incredibly talented cast such as Northern Broadside, you are definitely in safe hands. Funny, fast and infectious laughing, this is a must see show.

– Janie Phillips