Erdman writes in the tradition of Gogol (think Government Inspector), and it certainly shows in this madcap but sinister farce. Its premiere in 1925 was the most successful production by the most famous of Soviet directors, Meyerhold. Now it is given a rare revival at the National Theatre in London in a version written and directed by Declan Donnellan, who has staged many productions in Russia in the last 10 years.