Reader Reviews
An Inspector Calls (Novello Theatre (formerly the Strand), West End)
Back to Show Details| Score | Comment | Date |
 | Unlike previous reviewer had no trouble hearing actors. Had seats in centre of Royal Circle. Set seemed too dominent; it was stunning and remarkable but i felt it gave nothing but problems to the actors who found themselves speaking to the inspector not in the drawing room of the fine house but out in the street, very strange. Latter part of the play failed to engage me. Maybe being familiar with the story was a disadvantage. - Victor Smith | 03 Mar 10 |
| I saw the play last night but found it a struggle. Not the play itself, but trying to hear two of the leads. The actress playing Sheila Birling was too quiet - we were sat at the very top of the Grand Circle - and had to strain to hear her. Mostly we could not. The inspector was also incoherent at times, as he sometimes appeared to be rushing his lines. Some of the action also takes place at the edge of the stage, which; for those not sitting in the stalls; is nigh on impossible to see. Mainly, however, the people sat around us posed the biggest obstacle to being able to both hear and engage with the play. They were mainly school parties of teenagers who whispered, giggled, unwrapped sweets, rustled bags and whatever else. All I would say is, the play is worth seeing but book late (at the box office) so you can find out when the school parties are coming and therefore avoid them. Also consider sitting near the front....then you can hear (and see) everything on stage. - Miss S | 23 Oct 09 |
| Some of the acting is bit 'old school' and some of the Inspector's dialogue is a bit unsubtle, but the ending in particular still packs a punch. - houndtang | 03 Oct 09 |
