A LITTLE LOCAL DIFFICULTY

By Philip Goulding 

Adapted from Nikolai Gogol's The Government Inspector 

(Minimum cast 8 - Maximum Cast 18)
    
(Available in 2 versions - NW English & SW English)

Forest Forge Theatre Co / Salisbury Playhouse (1997), Watermill Theatre, Newbury (2008), Oldham Coliseum Theatre (2003)

A new version of Gogol's classic comedy about mistaken identity and small town corruption. A Mayor and his officials are alarmed to hear rumours of the arrival of a government inspector, travelling "incognito". It is brought to their attention that an apparently penniless rake and his servant are lodging at a local inn. Despite being unable to even pay their bill, this unlikely couple suddenly find themselves being treated like royalty by the sycophantic mayor and his cronies. The "Government Inspector" eventually rides away a good deal richer, having sampled for free the best hospitality the town could muster, including not just the finest food and wine, but also the feverishly competitive adoration of the mayor's wife and daughter. When the truth is revealed the Mayor and his officials are publicly humiliated. Finally, as if all of this wasn't devastating enough, a messenger appears to announce the arrival of a real Government Inspector.

A Little Local Difficulty at Oldham Coliseum Theatre, 2003. Photograph by Joel Fildes.

An enormously funny, comic, bold, colourful production. Fantastic. A really great night out. (Charlotte Keatley on BBC Radio 4's "Front Row")

Goulding presents a picture of a booming society riddled with petty fiefdoms and incipient corruption. A fine tribute to Gogol. (The Guardian)

Philip Goulding's adaptation is vigorous and pointed...the laughs keep coming. (Reviewsgate)

Intelligent adaptation....excellent (City Life magazine)

Gogol's splendid satire on greed, corruption and sleaze in not very high places. (The Guardian)

This hilarious and inventive adaptation. A great night out. (Plays & Players)

The action spins along at a cracking pace. Witty and racy. (Western Daily Press)

Make no mistake, this is great. A sheer delight. (Oxford Times)

This new adaptation by Philip Goulding is fresh and funny. The result is delicious. (The Stage)

This adaptation by Philip Goulding gives a freshness to a gleeful peep at corruption in town life. Romping, witty and incisive. (Salisbury Journal)

A fine new adaptation. (Bournemouth Echo)

Cleverly adapted. A real comic treat. (Southern Daily Echo)

An excellent play. It oozes comedy from beginning to end. (Burnley Express)

Eric Potts in A Little Local Difficulty at Oldham Coliseum Theatre, directed by Kevin Shaw. Photograph by Joel Fildes.