Theatre Review - An Inspector Calls
Tim Treloar and Alice Darling in An Inspector Calls [Mark Douet]
Thirty-two years after its first staging, Stephen Daldry’s award-winning production of JB Priestley’s morality play An Inspector Calls has lost none of its power.
Set in an English manufacturing town in 1912, the Birling family are celebrating the engagement of Sheila Birling (Leona Allen) to Gerald Croft (Tom Chapman) when they are interrupted by Inspector Goole (Tim Treloar). He tells them a young woman called Eva Smith has taken her own life by drinking disinfectant.
The family are initially confused as to how they might be involved in his investigation. Then the inspector starts asking questions and reveals that they are all, in various ways, culpable for Eva’s death.
Mr Birling (Jeffrey Harmer) and his complacent wife Sybil (Jackie Morrison) initially refuse to be intimidated by the inspector. Their feckless son Eric (George Rowlands) tries to numb his guilt by hitting the bottle. Throughout, the parlour maid Edna (Alice Darling), a mostly silent presence, serves as a witness and reminder of Eva.
Written in 1945, Daldry brilliantly blends the two periods, highlighting the timelessness of Priestley’s concerns as well as hinting at the social changes that would follow two world wars. The theme of collective responsibility for those affected by poverty, disadvantage and inequality really hits home in this absorbing production.
As the younger generation, Eric and Sheila appear to learn something from the inspector’s visit, offering a glimmer of hope for the future.
Ian MacNeil’s striking design works well on Alexandra Palace’s vast stage and Sebastian Frost’s sound effects are terrific.
Despite the occasional inaudibility of a couple of the actors, this is a riveting production and Priestley’s plea for a more compassionate society remains as relevant today.
Warmly recommended.
Until September 21 and then on tour
www.aninspectorcalls.comOriginally published by Islington Tribune