Auditions: Government Inspector

Calling all actors, musicians, singers, performers!

We are delighted to announce our Autumn 2023 production at Theatre@41, Monkgate will be Government Inspector by Nikolai Gogol in a version by David Harrower, directed by Alan Park.

The play is a true ensemble piece with roles of all sizes for at least 12 performers, possibly more. This means there are opportunities for every member of the York Settlement Community Players, whether you want to be front and centre, a little to the side or an enthusiastic dot in the distance.

To help you out we’ve detailed some of the more main roles below. We’ll be holding workshops at Clementhorpe Community Centre on Wednesday 28 June and Wednesday 12 July, and at Theatre@41 on Sunday 2 July. Our auditions are open to all, regardless of whether you’re a YSCP member or have acted in one of our productions before.

About the play

“It’s not good, gentlemen. That’s why I’ve gathered you all here. An Inspector is coming… a Government Inspector!”

The Mayor is in a cold sweat. News has reached him of an imminent visit from a Government Inspector. His fear is well-founded as he has been somewhat lacking in his official duties. The hospital’s a health hazard, the school’s a war zone, the soldiers don’t have trousers to march in and he never quite got around to building that church!

Surely the only possible solution is bribery; it seems to have resolved many a sticky situation for the Mayor and his team in the past! But a simple case of mistaken identity leads matters to spiral hysterically out of control. Could it be that they have met their match in the complicated business of deception?

Gogol’s satirical masterpiece is a hilarious riot of corruption, lies and greed that has lost none of its original bite.

Characters

Unless specified roles can be any age, any gender, any natural accent. All must be played larger than life.

• The Mayor (Male) – Corrupt. Idiotic. Thinks he’s in control. As the play goes on he is pushed to the extremist of extremes as he tries to cling to power in his small provincial town. He will stop at nothing, double cross everyone, to emerge on top. Along with Khlestakov this is one of the pivotal roles in the play and comes with a significant number of lines to learn and scenes to perform. 
• Khlestakov (Male)– A terrible person. Self-proclaimed poet. A harmless coward in reality. He has no natural abilities, no job and no plan as he lurches and cheats his way through life. But as he is mistaken for the Government Inspector he inadvertently finds he is able to take full advantage of the situation. Along with the Mayor, this is one of the pivotal roles of the play and comes with a significant number of lines to learn and scenes to perform. 
• Osip – Khlestakov’s long suffering (and hungry) servant. Complains a lot, not clear why they stick around but like their master they are able to turn a situation to their advantage. A main role with one large opening speech then dialogue.
• Anna (Female) – The Mayor’s wife. Dressed to impress but with poor taste, she enjoys the trappings of high society with no idea how to behave accordingly. An idiotic snob who is intoxicated by status. A main role with reasonable number of lines.
• Maria (Female) – The Mayor’s daughter. Younger but more intelligent than both her parents put together. Sees things, and people for what they are (unless they have a moustache). A main role but not too many lines. 
• Dobchinsky and Bobchinsky – Double act, easily confused for one another. Finish each other’s sentences, know each other intimately. The Mayor’s go-fors and inevitably end up reporting to others what others said/ didn’t say. Main roles but not too many lines.
• The town functionaries – The corrupt functionaries of the town. Happy to offer bribes to maintain their status, and all with their own distinct character traits. These are large ensemble roles, in and out of the action throughout the play. 
  • The Judge, (Lyapkin-Tyapkin) – loves dogs, and will happily find in your favour for one
  • School superintendent (Khlopov) – terrified of teachers
  • Head of hospitals (Zemlyanika) – runs a hospital with no patients
  • Postmaster – Reads everyone’s mail. Knows everything. Often gets the wrong end of the stick. And it’s all really their fault.
  • Police superintendent – incompetent 
  • The Doctor – cannot speak, but goes to great lengths to get his silent point across. 

• The rest – There’s the police force, a locksmith’s wife, servants, shopkeepers, inn keepers, waiters. All wild and wonderful characters and cameos. Some with lines, some without. All make an impact.

Unless specified in the character breakdowns above, please use your own accent or an extreme version of it. But no need for Russian.

About the director

Alan Park has performed in several plays in York, including most recently YSCP’s The Real Thing. He is also the chair of Theatre@41. In another life he worked as an actor, specialising in ensemble physical theatre storytelling. Alan is looking forward to creating a true community production where everyone gets to have fun on stage and a bit of a play with some like minded folk.

Audition information

Auditions will take place at:

• Clementhorpe Community Centre (Lower Ebor St, York YO23 1AY) on Wednesday 28 June, 6:30pm to 9:30pm
• Theatre@41 (41 Monkgate, York, YO31 7PB) on Sunday 2 July 10:00am to 1:00pm
• Clementhorpe Community Centre (Lower Ebor St, York YO23 1AY) on Wednesday 12 July, 6:30pm to 9:30pm

You do not need to prepare a monologue. The auditions will be run like a workshop/ rehearsal where everyone has some fun, gets to know each other then we perform some scenes and swap in and out. Scenes will be available in advance and everyone will get a chance to read for a part they want to read for.

To register your interest, please fill in this form (https://forms.gle/dpW8X6KtY82a9hAT7). If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to drop us an email at yorksettlementcommunityplayers@gmail.com. If you are successful in auditioning, please note that you will be required to join YSCP – annual membership is £15.

Rehearsals and performances

There will be a read through (get to know you session) at the end of July. Then rehearsals will run from the end of August 2023, an average of twice during weekday evenings and one daytime on the weekend. There will be 6 performances at Theatre@41. The production week is Sunday 22 October to Saturday 28 October. You will need to join York Settlement Community Players in order to be part of the cast.

Due to the vast range of size and type of role we can try and accommodate holidays/other shows etc for the ensemble parts. Please chat to us about this. 

We look forward to hearing from you!