Blue Sky Theatre’s production of The Government Inspector in the Garden was again a popular sell-out season in January.

The new adaptation of Nikolai Gogol’s classic comedy set the story in 1937 on a small Greek island, where the corrupt mayor learns that an undercover inspector is coming to investigate how his town is run. The badly behaved officials decide to shower him with food, wine and a good time but eventually realise they’ve been bribing the wrong man.

The spirited portrait of a small man with a big ego generated lots of laughs from the audience, who found it hard to believe this play was written nearly two hundred years ago. Each night, there were many groans at the story’s familiarity. People in power have not changed much in almost two centuries!

As usual, the costumes and the cast’s performances were of a high standard, the band and the singing were entertaining, and everyone was complimentary about the show.

In general, the season was a delight – many of the shows were on balmy evenings, with the audience enjoying a picnic with a drink from the bar before watching the show as the sun went down.

The season was sold out as early as December, demonstrating the audience's enthusiastic support for theatre in the garden each year. Blue Sky Theatre and Open Gardens SA are grateful to Wendy Pember, Hans Heysen The Cedars, Wittunga Botanic Garden, Howards Wines and Matthews Hospitality.

Plans are already in train for more outdoor theatre in 2025.

Read more at blueskytheatre.com.au