Grand Opera House, York – until 11th February 2023
Reviewed by Aimee Forsyth
5*****
It is 1912 and the Birling family are in the middle of celebrating the engagement of Sheila Birling to Gerald Croft, when they are interrupted by a mysterious visitor. Inspector Goole is investigating the tragic death of a young woman named Eva Smith who killed herself by drinking disinfectant. The family are, of course, horrified by this story of self-destruction but initially confused as to why the Inspector has come to see them. What follows is a difficult and unpleasant investigation from the wise Inspector who reveals how each member of the Birling family contributed to the chain of events that lead to Eva Smith’s suicide.
This classic thriller by J B Priestly is a commentary on England in the early 1900s but you could say that the themes are still as relevant today as they were when it was first performed in 1945. In his play Priestly seems mainly concerned with the idea of social responsibility but he also touches on important political topics such as the class divide, the inequality of women and the ability for the younger generations to adapt and change in response to tragedy. What could seem old fashioned and outdated is definitely brought into the 21st century by the clever direction of Stephen Daldry and his assistant Charlotte Peters.
Ian MacNeil’s award-winning set design for ‘An Inspector Calls’ is a sight to behold. The play opens up on a scene of Victorian England with a full collection of special effects including rain water, smoke, haze and war sirens created by the extremely talented technical crew. The audience are outside the Birling family’s home and we can hear them and see them through the windows. The whole play is centred around this house and it opens up and closes seamlessly throughout the production. The real beauty, however, is in how the house unfolds bit by bit as the Birling family’s secrets unfold and we learn more about their involvement in Eva Smith’s death.
The costumes also transform throughout the show and each character looks more and more dishevelled as the Inspector pulls them apart piece by piece. Costume supervisor Caroline McCall and her assistant Megan Doyle have done a magnificent job in tying the costumes in with the development of the plot.
The acting talent of the whole cast is something to be commended but special mention should go to Liam Brennan for his portrayal of Inspector Goole. He plays the role with the correct level of calmness and authority and brings a sense of humour as he mocks the ridiculousness of the Birling family. Chloe Orrock also deserves special praise for her characterisation of Sheila Birling. She starts off showing us an insolent and spoilt girl and ends up showing us a changed woman who knows that she must be better and do better in the future for herself and others.
This play has been running for decades and it’s not getting old. PW productions have brought the play into the present and it’s as chilling and captivating as always. We have the English GCSE syllabus to thank for keeping ‘An Inspector Calls’ on our stages but it’s production teams like this one that keep the classics relevant, suitable and exciting for our younger generations