Whitchurch's community theatre since 1958

WADS’ next production will be The Government Inspector (or, A Little Local Difficulty), adapted by Philip Goulding from Nikolai Gogol's classic comedy. The play will run for three nights at Whitchurch Parish Hall from Thursday 19 to Saturday 21 June. 

Why did WADS choose this play?

Probably three reasons. First off, we have fond memories of one of Philip Goulding’s other adaptations, The Titfield Thunderbolt in 2007. Indeed, one member of tonight’s cast was in the play, where she met her future husband who was also in it. They are now married and have three children. When he sent us the script for The Government Inspector or A Little Local Difficulty, Philip reminded us of The Titfield Thunderbolt and pointed out that “in fact, yours was the first amateur production, I believe. The count is now 98. So thanks for starting the ball rolling”. We were honoured and so decided to have a read through of his Gogol adaptation.

We were not disappointed - (reason two) it’s very, very funny. We think you’ll love it.

But reason three is the most compelling. It’s about solidarity with Ukraine. We have many Ukrainians living amongst us currently, and we are constantly reminded of why they are here, seeking sanctuary. Our guests are now our dear friends, too.

Nikolai Gogol was born in the village of Sorochyntsi, present-day Ukraine. His father wrote a number of plays based on Ukrainian folk tales, and the young Gogol helped stage Ukrainian-language plays in his uncle’s home theatre. Published in 1831, Gogol’s first volume of Ukrainian stories - Evenings on a Farm Near Dikanka - met with immediate success. Critics saw in Gogol the emergence of a Ukrainian, rather than Russian writer, whose work illustrated the differences between Russian and Ukrainian national characters. 

On setting out to write The Government Inspector, Gogol believed he had little chance of ever seeing his play performed. Difficulties were indeed thrown in the way, as the chinovniks – or minor government officials in Tsarist Russia - considered it “not sufficiently well-intentioned” in tone. Gogol wrote in Russian, but also spoke Ukrainian and Polish. His writing is characterised by much word play and use of idiomatic expressions as well as sneaking in Ukrainian amongst the Russian. (This version includes regional idioms and quotations from English writers, especially Shakespeare. We have leaned in to the regional flavour by using a variety of accents from around England for the residents of our fictional town.)

The naysayers would’ve succeeded in suppressing one of greatest comedies ever written had the intervention of the poet Zhukovsky not saved the situation. Gogol’s friend was tutor to the heir apparent, and was able to show The Government Inspector to the Tsar, who was so impressed that he ordered that the play immediately be produced at the Imperial Theatre. At the first performance on 19 March 1836, Tsar Nicholas laughed heartily throughout, remarking at the end, “Everyone has received his due, and I most of all.” Though the play was a hit, it also caused controversy, pitting reformists against the conservatives who resented Gogol’s mockery of Russian officialdom. Spooked, Gogol left the country, and from 1836 to 1848 spent most of his time in Rome, working on his epic comic novel Dead Souls. He died on 4 March 1852, aged 42.

WADS tries to keep out of politics, but there are some things you can’t remain silent about. Winston Churchill said, just before WWII began, that “The arts are essential to any complete life. The State owes it to itself to sustain and encourage them”.  He is also alleged to have said, in response to a suggestion to cut arts funding to support the war effort, “Then what would be fighting for?”  In fact, he didn’t say that, but then he also didn’t wear a suit to the White House when he was a war leader – who would. We need to stick up for our Ukrainian friends.

There will be a collection during the production in aid of a Ukrainian government humanitarian charity. Please give generously.

The version of the play that WADS is putting on has had some great reviews - “Goulding's adaptation is vigorous and pointed. The laughs keep coming,” “The funniest English version of The Government Inspector that I know” and “Enormously funny. Fantastic. A really great night out”.

Our version is set in a fictional English town (definitely town; not a village) in the 1970s.

Tickets cost £12 (£8 concessions).