Play ridicules corruption

Kristin Macfarlane | 18th March 2010

Corruption will be depicted in a comical way through a Shambles Theatre production this weekend.

The production called The Government Inspector will feature about 15 Rotorua people ranging in ages from 15 to 60s.

The play, written by Russian playwright and novelist Nikolai Gogol, ridicules the bureaucracy of the Russian Government under the Tsar as a corrupt system.

The main character, Khlestakov, embodies irresponsibility and the play looks at the themes of human corruption and the folly of self-deception.

Shambles Theatre spokeswoman Emily McGowan said the play looked at how people made assumptions without "grabbing the facts first". "It's a bit of a comedy really, taking the mickey out of the way people presume things," Ms McGowan said.

The show opens this weekend and runs until March 27.

Ms McGowan said the crew had been rehearsing for the production at least three times a week since the end of January.

She encouraged members of the public to check out the show, which would appeal to people of all ages.

* The show opens on Friday and will run until March 27 at 8pm. Matinee performances will be held on Saturday and Sunday at 4pm. Tickets are available from the Shambles Theatre Box Office between Monday and Saturdays between 10am to 2pm.