The Government Inspector (Le Revizor) - Théâtre Le Ranelagh

Location

Théâtre Le Ranelagh
5 rue des Vignes, 75016 Paris
Capacity 300 seats

Duration

1 h 20 min

Sans entracte

Details

Classic Theatre

Recommended for ages 11 and up

In French

THIS SHOW IS IN FRENCH!

The show, The Government Inspector is more suited to a French-speaking audience because it is performed exclusively in French. If you feel like you have a sufficient level of French to follow along—discover French theatre through this lovely piece!

Next dates

HIGHLIGHTS: THE GOVERNMENT INSPECTOR

The Government Inspector is a five-act comedy written by the famous Russian author Nicolas Gogol in 1836. Gogol is best known for his satirical works that criticised the society and bureaucracy of his day. The Government Inspector is undoubtedly one of his most popular and performed plays.

The story is set in a small Russian town whose corrupt and incompetent local officials are thrown into disarray when they learn an incognito government inspector is coming to assess them. Panicked, they mistake a penniless young traveller, Khlestakov, for the anticipated inspector. Khlestakov, puzzled at first, soon takes advantage of the situation, accepting bribes and favours while mocking the local authorities.

The Government Inspector is a biting satire of the corruption and inefficiency of Russian bureaucracy. Nicholas Gogol’s witty takedown of society’s failings highlights the cowardice, greed and hypocrisy of civil servants.

When it was first performed, the play divided opinion in Russia, with some deeming it too subversive while others praised its boldness. It became a classic of Russian theatre and continues to be performed around the world, as its criticism of society and human nature have remained as pertinent as ever.

The play is now back on stage at Théâtre Le Ranelagh, with seven excellent actors in a faithful interpretation of Gogol's original work with a contemporary touch that emphasises its social satire and farce. The period-accurate set and costumes , accentuate the contrast between the superficiality of appearances and the reality of the characters' actions.

The Government Inspector at Théâtre Le Ranelagh promises an evening of highly entertaining and intellectually stimulating theatre (it's true — you can have both at once!). This is the perfect opportunity to experience this Russian masterpiece, in one of the most intimate theatres in Paris!

Théâtre Le Ranelagh

5 rue des Vignes, 75016 Paris

History and Fun Facts about the Théâtre Le Ranelagh

Step into the grand auditorium of the Théâtre Le Ranelagh, and prepare to be wowed by the ornate carved oak panelling adorning the orchestra and balconies, as well as the intricately decorated ceiling. Looking around you, it’s not hard to believe that this building is listed as one of Paris’ 'historical monuments'…

The Théâtre Le Ranelagh is tucked away in the heart of Paris’ 16th arrondissement, a few paces away from the Eiffel Tower on one side, and the bois de Boulogne on the other. It is built on the site of the old Château de Boulainvilliers, the estate was at the time right outside the city and covered 8 hectares (almost 12 football fields!). The theatre itself is rich in history and over 120 years old, after being converted to replace the château's music room by the landowner of the time into his own private venue where he could invite all the best-known actors and musicians in Paris to play there for him and his friends. After his death, the entire estate was destroyed to make way for the expanding city of Paris. All, that is, except for the theatre which was miraculously saved, and to this day still stands in its original spot! Don't be fooled by the unassuming exterior, once inside the Théâtre Le Ranelagh you can feast your eyes on its original decor of plush red velvet seating and carved oak panelling throughout.

The theatre is designed in the French style, meaning all of the seats are directly facing the stage and giving the auditorium a rectangular shape. The venue also features a small bar in its foyer complete with a fireplace and enough seating for up to 80 people, perfect for a drink before the performance.

Not just a theatre…

For a time in the early 1900s, the theatre was used as a cinema, which was incredibly popular. The director of the world-famous film Les enfants du paradis loved the theatre, and often programmed the film to be screened there. The cinema tradition still exists at Le Ranelagh, and films are still screened there from time to time! In addition to film screenings and a show programme rich with plays by classic French playwrights, the Théâtre Le Ranelagh holds puppet shows for younger audiences and other community events.

Here are some of our favourites playing this season!

• The Cid #Theatre #SurtitledInEnglish
• Moliere's The Miser (L'Avare) #Comedy #SurtitledInEnglish
• The Marriage of Figaro or the Crazy Day #Theatre #SurtitledInEnglish
• The Picture of Dorian Gray #Theatre #SurtitledInEnglish
• The Fox and the Earth #Mime #NoDialogue #FamilyShow
• Scapin the Schemer #Comedy #SurtitledInEnglish

See all shows playing at Ranelagh here!

Fast facts
Capacity: 300
Handicap Accessible: Yes, please contact us to ensure proper seating in accessible areas
Air conditioning: No
Heating: Yes

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FAQ

How do I get to Théâtre Le Ranelagh in the 16th arrondissement of Paris?

The Théâtre Le Ranelagh is accessible by:
Metro: Line 6 (Passy station), line 9 (La Muette station)
RER: Line C (Boulainvilliers station or Maison de la Radio Avenue du Président Kennedy)
Address: 5 rue des Vignes, 75016 Paris
In case of difficulty, our hotline can be reached during our business hours. Please see the footer of this page for our contact details.

What do I do when I get to Théâtre Le Ranelagh?

We recommend that you arrive 15 minutes before the beginning of The Government Inspector, and present your voucher at the front desk. Théâtre Le Ranelagh’s English-speaking staff members will guide you to your seats.
In the event of a delay, spectators will be allowed entrance to the theatre but seating in the purchased category is not guaranteed.

How long does the show, The Government Inspector, last?

The theatre piece The Government Inspector at Théâtre Le Ranelagh lasts approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes, with no intermission.

It says that The Government Inspector is recommended for children ages 11 and older. What does that mean?

The show is open to all, but the Théâtre Le Ranelagh recommends the show to spectators aged 11 and above so it may be appreciated to its fullest.

It says that The Government Inspector is in French with no surtitles. Is it still accessible to English speakers?

The theatre piece, The Government Inspect is more suited to a French-speaking audience because it is performed exclusively in French. If you feel like you have a sufficient level of French to follow along—discover French theatre through this humorous piece!

Can I choose my seat when booking?

When purchasing tickets for The Government Inspector, choose your preferred category and you will be allocated the best available seats in that category!
Please note that tickets of the same category that are booked during the same purchase session, in the same booking order on our website are always assigned side by side. To be sure of this, make sure all of your tickets are in the same category and are included in your shopping cart at the time of purchase.
If there are no available adjacent seating arrangements, our customer service team will contact you before the booking is confirmed.

Is there a dress code at Théâtre Le Ranelagh?

There is no specific dress code at Théâtre Le Ranelagh, but proper attire is appreciated. Many Parisians will arrive directly from work, dressed in business casual or chic attire.