An Inspector Calls by J B Priestley

Birmingham Rep, Tuesday 3rd February 2009

I first saw this production back in 2003 and then again in 2005. So when I saw that it was embarking upon another UK tour in 2009 I just had to be here for that is the pull of this story and production. Such is the popularity of this J B Priestley classic that once again it was full house time and that really does add to the atmosphere created by the excellent cast.

The theatre was buzzing in anticipation and there was that special magic that goes with all classic thrillers. Will I be as excited as last time, will it be as good as I remember? Well, the answer is yes.

Stephen Daldry’s award winning National Theatre production which dates back to the early 1990s has a more symbolic and impressionistic setting than for example the film version with Alastair Sim and works beautifully. The small child, at the opening of the play, tugging at the heavy stage curtain trying to get in but failing to do so. The house in which the rather grand Birling family live, rather nut like in appearance and once cracked open exposing some pretty terrible hypocrisy all works wonderfully! The cobbled street outside, the rubbish being thrown down, the children playing all worked to create an unreal and yet recognisable environment. But clearly all is not what it first seems…

The main players live out the drama with passion and individually are highly believable and compelling. They are well assisted by the eerie settings, stirring music and immaculate costumes. The ladies dresses are beautiful, with atmospheric lighting and clever positioning of actors bringing them in and out of the shadows. The presentation simply works and the huge audience applause at the close demonstrated that once more.

“An Inspector Calls” is as relevant today as when it was first written and part of the impact is that you can still relate to both the behaviour of the characters and their beliefs. The comfortable, middle class Birlings lives are thrown into chaos by the arrival of the mysterious Inspector Goole played convincingly by Louis Hilyer. He is the kind of Inspector that will get right inside the case of a girl committing suicide and force the characters to face their actions? Christopher Saul an imposing figure of a man is impressive as the pompous Arthur Birling and projected himself well. Sandra Duncan in the role once more for this tour is equally well cast as his haughty wife and together they play a thoroughly dreadful pair who would try and get themselves out of anything! Their daughter Sheila, really the only good one in the family is played sympathetically by Marianne Oldham. Her drink sodden and rather naïve brother Eric is played with conviction and at times some hysteria by Robin Whiting. The tall and sophisticated looking Alisdair Simpson was well cast as Gerald Croft the fiancé of Sheila but wasn‘t all he seemed. Diana Payne-Myers played Edna the maid, a lovely character piece and another example of “us and them” particularly as she held the umbrella to protect Sheila from the rain.

I enjoyed the evening immensely and you can see the show until Saturday 14th February at The Rep after which it continues on the UK tour until at least June 2009. The show runs for approximately 1 hour and 50 and please note, there is no interval.

Clive Fuller