Synopsis When Inspector Goole calls unexpectedly on the prosperous Birling family investigating the suicide of a poor young local woman his startling revelations shatter the very foundation of their lives. As the Inspector asks insinuating questions it becomes clear that they all bear guilt for the destruction of the woman they have variously exploited for cheap labour, cheap sex and worse - And then the plot thickens. Written at the end of the second World War and set before the first, An Inspector Calls is a brilliantly compelling and haunting thriller. Originally producted by the National Theatre. Running time 1hr 45mins (no interval)
This is proof that some plays are simply timeless. A great production can breathe new life into them, as Stephen Daldry did 17 years ago in staging this (then) 47-year old morality play at the National Theatre. Since then, it’s had another stint at the National, 10 years in four visits to the West End, 7 UK tours, a year on Broadway, and one US and two Australian tours!
Until this production, it was a static play with seven actors in one drawing-room. Daldry’s metaphorical setting in a society getting by in a wartime wasteland with the family home collapsing as their lives do as a result of the revelations uncovered by ‘The Inspector’ brings out the morality that J B Priestly intended.
I saw it when it first opened at the National and it was good to renew my acquaintance with what must be one of the great post-war productions. Well, it still packs a punch after another 17 years. The current cast are very good indeed, even with two understudies in lead roles. And the morals mean as much if not more in 2010 as they did in 1992 when this production began or 1945 when it was written or indeed 1912 when it’s set. - Gareth James
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