Sämmtliche Werke 5: Dramatische Werke

Set in a small Russian provincial town around 1835, the comedy follows a weary police chief whose reputation threatens to crumble when rumors of an imminent audit spread through the streets. A host of colorful officials—rigid judges, bumbling postmasters, and self‑important doctors—converge, each eager to protect their own interests and showcase their importance. Their interactions are laced with sharp wit, absurd bureaucracy, and the inevitable misunderstandings that fuel the play’s humor.

At the center of the chaos is a young, nervous clerk who, by mistake, is taken for a feared government inspector, prompting a frenzy of bribery, flattery, and frantic self‑examination. The characters’ exaggerated manners and rapid shifts from fear to confidence sketch a vivid portrait of provincial life and the universal folly of authority. Listeners will enjoy the lively dialogue, vivid stage directions, and the timeless satire that still feels fresh today.