7 / 24
DRAMA 7
The Government
Inspector,
Lower
School Production
Siobhan Downey, U4E
As the summer term drew to a close, so did
our rehearsals for the Junior Play. Although we
performed our version of
The Government Inspector
by Nikolai Gogol only three times at the end of
June, this does not tell the whole story of the
time, energy and positive work ethic required to
polish a production as ambitious as this. Truly, the
experience is sure to stick with all cast members
as an exhilarating and truly worthwhile time in our
Bancroft’s lives.
The older years may be busy with their exams, but this term
the lower years (under the guidance of the fabulous Dr Mill)
were already well into a steady rehearsal schedule, often
camped in the PAC on Sundays. I am still amazed by Dr
Mill’s dedication to the project, showing patience as well as
authority. Somehow, he managed to do Gogol proud. Play
rehearsals require lots of energy, but it was great to watch
the play come together and feel a sense of achievement as it
developed. Moreover, the social aspect of joining the Junior
Play was brilliant – the many hours spent with fellow members
of the cast and working for a common goal strengthened the
community spirit of the School.
It would not be unfair to say that the Junior Play does not
always have such high expectations, and I certainly feel that we
broke the mould this year. Gogol’s complex, farcical comedy is
set in a badly-run town in Russia during the 1830s; the town
Mayor (Martha Grimsell) has been informed of the arrival of a
Government official inspecting the town, incognito. In a
hilarious case of mistaken identity, Khlestakov (Kyrill Yeremenko),
a traveller, arrives penniless at the inn of the town, only to
be bombarded with queries and requests from the
common folk of the village
as well as the Mayor
himself, to his considerable
confusion. Much of the
play’s comedy comes
from misinterpretations,
double entendres and a
healthy dose of slapstick,
which proved to be
successful on all three
nights with the audience.
Along with apt period
clothing and Dr Mill’s
trusty team alongside him
(lighting technician, the
DT department and his
right-hand-man,Mr Young),
as well as an enthusiastic
and talented cast, the play
was nothing short of a huge
success. Thanks again to the
staff, and to the audiences,
for making our last Junior
Play unforgettable!