Presented by The Comedy Theatre of Bucharest.

UK PREMIERE

12 – 27 August 2007
14.20, Assembly Universal Arts, Majestic, 96 George Street
Edinburgh EH2 3DH; Box office: 0131 623 3030; www.assemblyfestival.com

Tickets: £5 – £10
Running time: 90 minutes
with English subtitles

Romania’s leading comedy theatre company, the Comedy Theatre of Bucharest, will perform the UK premiere of their hit production of Gogol’s ‘The Government Inspector’ at Assembly Universal Arts, 96 George Street. There will be 16 performances (12 – 27 August at 14.10)

With its very distinctive design, the production has been particularly acclaimed for its strong visual comedy, particularly in respect of the lead actor George Mihaita who plays the Mayor. Directed by Horatiu Malaele, the set and costumes are designed by Lia Mantoc who designed the costumes for Silviu Purcarete’s ‘Macbett’ by Ionesco recently at the RSC Swan.

The Mayor of a small Russian provincial town announces that an Inspector will be sent incognito to their town for an undercover inspection. Stricken by fear and guilty conscience, the Mayor and his retinue mistakenly identify an impoverished clerk, en route from St Petersburg and staying in the local inn, for the dreaded inspector. A comedy of mistaken identity ensues and the young clerk stays long enough to make the most of the officials’ servility, extracting huge bribes from the top officials and becoming engaged to the Mayor’s daughter. But then the real Inspector arrives …

George Mihaita is one of Romania’s most popular actors and founded the internationally recognised Romanian Comedy Festival in 2003, festCO (www.festco.ro). He is also President of UNESCO’s Adolescents Foundation and through his efforts Romania now has a National Day for the Adolescent in May every year. He also founded a Youth Theatre Festival which is now in its tenth year.

Stefan Banica Jr. (who plays the young clerk Khlestakov) has a following in Romania for both his acting and his singing career. In September last year he sang with Angela Gheorghiu and Roberto Alagna at the BBC Proms in Hyde Park. (www.stefanbanicajr.ro/main.htm)

The Comedy Theatre of Bucharest was last seen in the UK with their acclaimed circus tent production of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ as part of LIFT 1991, performed at the Lyric Theatre Hammersmith.
‘Imaginative, playful and magical … the most beguiling Dream I have seen since’ – Peter Brook, The Independent.

For further information, please contact
Cameron Duncan
Mobile 07971 572550
cam@cameronduncan.co.uk