The Government Inspector

The entries in this collection, "The Government Inspector" and "The Marriage", are two remarkable satirical comedies by Gogol, two masterpieces of classical Russian comedy, which have not left the best stages of our country for almost a century and a half and have been adapted for film many times. What makes these works relevant? Is it not the fact that the types so brilliantly described by Gogol – corrupt lazy officials, provincial nouveaux riches and their absurdly pretentious daughters hoping for metropolitan glamour, timid suitors unwilling to part with their bachelor status, and pushy, enterprising matchmakers – are often encountered even today? The collection also includes the play "The Gamblers".