An Inspector Calls

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.

Our Review:

28 September 2009

It’s usually the case that films are eternally accessible while great theatre productions disappear forever. But Stephen Daldry has managed to blur the distinction. Not only can you always watch his celluloid work – three movies, three Oscar nominations as best director – but his brilliant production of An Inspector Calls never seems to go away either.

First staged at the National Theatre in 1992, his thrillingly re-imagined version of JB Priestley’s angry, socialist whodunit-with-a-difference was in the West End for most of the next decade, toured the country for a couple of years until 2005, and is now back in London after another six-month UK tour – as fresh and mesmerising as it was 17 years ago.

Daldry admits that he directs the piece “almost inflexion to inflexion”, so old hands shouldn't expect any surprises in this ain't-broke-don't-fix-it revival. But for first-timers it’s a th...

Read more of the review

Latest User Review

Victor Smith - 3 March 2010:

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....

Read more and add your own review

Related Whatsonstage.com Articles

Nicholas Woodeson On … Revisiting Inspector Calls More»