Hull New Theatre – until 28 September 2019
Reviewed by Catherine McWilliams
4****
From the outset it is obvious that this is no ordinary night in the Birling household, they are celebrating the engagement of their daughter but darker forces seem to be gathering outside their home and this night will not go as planned and will result in a shift of relationships. The arrival of the mysterious Inspector Goole (Liam Brennan) with his probing questions and his knowledge of the family throws a new light on the family members, exposing secrets and showing the consequences of their actions.
J. B. Priestley’s play is set in 1912, but Stephen Daldry’s production of “An Inspector Calls” for the National Theatre ensures that it is not a period piece but is relevant to us all, making us question our own actions and appreciate that our actions have consequences. This is a brooding and intense production and the scenery, lighting and music feed into the tension as secrets are revealed. I was initially surprised that there was no interval in the play, but having seen it this made perfect sense as it allowed the tension to build and gave us a “real time” experience, as each family member was questioned. At times it felt almost intimidating and yet the Inspector’s questioning was never threatening, he was always just seeking the truth.
An Inspector Calls requires an outstanding performance from the actor playing Inspector Goole, as he is the lynchpin of the play and Liam Brennan provides just that performance. He has the necessary mystery, mixed with professionalism and exasperation and the kind of questioning voice that would make you want to own up to your actions. His is the moral voice of society as he seeks the truth about the young woman who has committed suicide, his is a stunning performance.
Let’s be clear that the Birling family are not the nicest of people, with a sense of entitlement and little regard for others, or thought for what their actions can mean for others. Arthur Birling is played well by Jeffrey Harmer as a bluff factory owner, who sees his workers as commodities with no concern for their well-being. Christine Kavanagh is excellent as his wife Sybil Birling, it was easy to believe that she really had no concern for anyone else, and very easy to dislike her! Alasdair Buchan played the fiancé Gerald Croft with just the right touch of bluster as the truth came out. Chloe Orrock was excellent as the daughter Sheila Birling as she realised the extent of the damage her selfishness had caused, perhaps the only one of the family understanding the bigger picture. Ryan Saunders was convincing as the son Eric Birling, who had lost his way.
This is an English exam text, so inevitably the theatre was full of school groups, which is often a cause for concern, will they be noisy or inattentive? Well they were as hooked as the rest of the audience, at critical moments in the action it really felt that we were collectively holding our breath!
This is not an easy watch, but it is an important watch as the messages for society are more than relevant today. It is important for us to understand the effect our actions may have, that there may be a “domino effect” or that the pebble we drop in the ocean may cause a tidal wave elsewhere, and that we need to have concern for others.