The Government Inspector

Bruiser's touring production of 'The Government Inspector' by Nikolai Gogol, adapted by Bill Scott opened at The Old Museum Arts Centre in Belfast on 15th September for a sell-out run of 8 shows, before heading out on tour.

The show was directed by Lisa May and the cast was Paul Boyd, Michael Condron, Gerard Kelly, Julie Maxwell, Niamh Shaw and Anna Sheils-McNamee.

The Stage Management team was Rory Casey and Patrick Sanders; Lighting was designed by Sean Paul O'Rawe; Set & Costume Design by David Craig; Musical Direction by Ross Anderson, with music arranged by Ross and Jonny McMillen-Patterson; the tour was Produced by Stephen Beggs and the Production Intern was Lyndsay Davidson.

Reviews

  "Wit wins through in classic comedy...this polished comedy 
   carries its audience along, and the company remains one of 
   our best tellers of theatrical tales." 
   Grania McFadden Review in The Belfast Telegraph

  "Excellent show - very enjoyable - well crafted - a great night."
   Old Museum Arts Centre Comments Book

  "Congratulations on yet another success!  As a supporter of 
   drama and the arts in Northern Ireland I can say with great 
   confidence that this production is outstanding. The production 
   is fast moving, very visual, physical and highly comedic. The 
   message of corruption within town councils and human beings in 
   general, is unfortunately universal and timeless. I am sure 
   Gogol and Pushkin would have loved this version and Lisa and 
   her team do justice to this cleverly written version. Good luck 
   Bruiser Theatre Company and every good wish for your forthcoming 
   tour."
   Email to Bruiser after Belfast performance

  "Bruiser ease back into the business of making compellingly 
   frantic, funny and above all accessible theatre...The cast, as 
   you expect with Bruiser, deliver energetic and effusive 
   performances with special mention going to Bruiser stalwarts 
   Michael Condron and Julie Maxwell. Condron in particular holds 
   the attention with a weasely opportunistic turn as the stranger 
   who preys on the stupidity and selfishness of the town official...
   To use marketing speak, Bruiser is a brand to be trusted. If you 
   also consider their much-lauded summer schools programme, they're    
   probably responsible for exposing more young people to the 
   possibilities of theatre than any other company."
   Joe Nawaz Review on Culture Northern Ireland website

  "What a hoot! I really enjoyed it. Great timing. Well done to you all.     
   More please!"
   Old Museum Arts Centre Comments Book

  "Super...as usual! LOVED IT! Can't believe it only had 3 weeks 
   rehearsal...looked like 3 months! So professional! Lisa May=genius."
   Facebook Wall post after Belfast performance

  "I absolutely loved the show. Fantastic performances and what a pace!   
   You've an absolute cracker there."
   Email to Bruiser after Belfast performance

  "Excellent - very funny. I'll be back."
   Old Museum Arts Centre Comments Book

  "...the effect of the cast of six erupting onto the stage is electrifying 
   and transformative. Corruption and chicanery in the face of public apathy 
   (even if it's only an insignificant town called Baccabiondi) has a 
   contemporary resonance...[the cast] exude a sense of ensemble playing that 
   is well-choreographed and...is winningly impressive...Michael Condron is a 
   delight...he has a degree of physical ease in the part that makes him wholly 
   credible and personable...[his] capacity to play the part and play the 
   audience is impressive...the focus is on the energy and versatility of the 
   cast...Director Lisa May...has created a piece that has a fluidity of physical 
   movement and thought; human avarice and folly are debunked in riveting 
   fashion. She has disciplined and empowered her cast in a playful, anarchic 
   farce."
   Derek West Review in Irish Theatre Magazin

  "Fantastic, fantastic, fantastic - exhausted by their energy! Brilliant, 
   Raucous, Undeniably Ingenious, Sexy, Erudite, Riveting! That's BRUISER!"
   Audience feedback form after Wexford performance

  "We saw you at the Swallow Theatre as part of the Wigtown Festival and 
   just wanted to say how much we enjoyed the production.  The actors 
   engaged with the audience in a way which left us feeling that we had 
   been thoroughly involved in this most stimulating performance.  All 
   the best in the future."
   Email to Bruiser after Scotland performances

  "I attended your performance of "The Government Inspector" in Castlebar 
   on Thursday last and I just want to say how much I enjoyed it.  The 
   choreography and timing were both original and faultless and the whole 
   production was extremely entertaining.  When I lived in Dublin I went 
   to the Abbey, Peacock and Gate Theatres quite often and I can honestly 
   say that your play, the design and performances rank as good as any 
   I've seen in those theatres (and in many instances, better). Stephen 
   Beggs [standing in for an ill cast member] really pulled off his 
   difficult task superbly and he should be justly proud of himself. 
   After a few minutes I had completely forgotten that he was reading his
   part. The frightening, and depressing, aspect of the play is that it 
   could literally have been written yesterday - NOTHING has changed!
   Thank you for enriching me and my wife with such an entertaining 
   evening. We both look forward to your return to Castlebar."
   Email to Bruiser after Castlebar performance

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