The Government Inspector

News that an incognito government inspector is heading for a provincial town throws local officials into panic. Mired in corruption, theft, and bribery, they mistake a minor clerk, Ivan Alexandrovich Khlestakov, for an important official.

This production tells the story of the only truly happy day in Khlestakov’s life. He is welcomed with open arms, carried about by officials, lavishly fed, given money, and even experiences his first love. Everything feels like a fairy tale – and he believes in it. For the first time, he sees officials doing everything for a person. He is reassured: this is just how things are done here – we don’t even have drunkards!

SamArt’s production is not a story of a grand deception. Khlestakov is an empty shell; the officials themselves invent his importance and significance. The Government Inspector at SamArt is the story of one happy day in the life of a little man.

Participant of the Big Tours–2023 program (Novosibirsk) and the All-Russian Festival The Golden Turnip.

*The performance contains scenes of tobacco smoking. These scenes are essential to the artistic concept. Smoking is harmful to your health.
**This is a reference to the famous ironic saying, “Russia has two great troubles: fools and roads,” which captures a long tradition of Russian self-reflection.