The Government Inspector

Nikolai Gogol · 1809–1852 · Ukraine / Russia

Originally Revizor (Russian)

Why it matters

A provincial town mistakes a penniless nobody passing through for the dreaded inspector sent to audit its corruption, and falls over itself with bribes and flattery. Russia's founding stage satire, so lethal about official venality that Tsar Nicholas I approved it himself.

At a glance

A fast, farcical stage comedy with clear scenes and broadly drawn comic types.