We are an independent show guide. Resale ticket prices may be above face value.

Why see An Inspector Calls?

There Is Someone At The Door

Often referred to as the definitive staging of JB Priestley's drawing-room drama, this production from London's National Theatre is on tour this year - bringing the masterpiece to you. Debuting in 1992, this iteration has been seen all over the world, scooping awards with each revival. Original director Stephen Daldry (The Hours, Billy Elliot) returns for this jaunt, showcasing his innate understanding of the literary classic. Now starring Tim Treloar as Inspector Goole and Jackie Morrison as Mrs Birling!

What Is The Story Of An Inspector Calls?

One night in April 1912, the comfortably upper-middle-class Birling family gather to celebrate the engagement of their daughter, Shelia. In attendance are her fiance Gerald, her younger brother Eric, and her parents, Sybil and the boorish, dominating Arthur. The party is soon interrupted by the appearance of the mysterious Inspector Goole, who has come to enquire upon the recent suicide of Miss Eva Smith, a young working-class woman known to the family.

In his possession, Goole has a photograph of the young woman and her diary - implying that she has named her tormentors within. Over the course of the evening, each member of the Birling family comes to realize they have all played a part in her downfall, in turn exploiting her, abandoning her, leading her to social and financial ruin before she finally took her own life. Faced with the maddening guilt and unable to accept the responsibility, we see one devastating night in the life of this entitled family, as they all seek to escape blame, believing their wealth and status will protect them from the consequences.

Timely as ever, Priestly's blazing critique of social responsibility rings just as true as it did back in 1945, strengthened by our continued fascination with capitalism and our refusal to accept the realities of others.

Key Information

Audience

Recommended for ages 12 and above

Run Time

One hour 50 minutes

Dates

8 - 12 Oct

Cast

Tim Treloar as Inspector Goole
Jackie Morrison as Mrs Birling
Jeffrey Harmer as Mr Birling
Tom Chapman as Gerald Croft
Leona Allen as Sheila Birling
George Rowlands as Eric Birling
Alice Darling as Edna

Katy Dean, Michael Gukas, Pena Iiyambo, Simon Pothecary and Philip Stewart as ensemble.

Creative

Written by J.B Priestley
Directed by Stephen Dalry

Reviews

Customer reviews

5 reviews, average rating: (3.0 Stars)

Dan Lane

Outstanding production

The pace, rhythm and melodrama is played to perfection and intensified by the supremely uncanny set that blends Edwardian gentility (period setting) with blitzed London (backdrop to writing). While the characters recognise, then variously explain away their complicity in Eva Smith’s suicide, the stage, and so the confessions, is haunted by figures of social conscience, judgement and consequence. The disproproportions of the house are perfectly in proportion with the egos of the Birling, and its symbolic rebuilding of ‘the House of Birling’ is in lock-step with the melodrama. A wonderful evening, thank you. ... Read more

Tom Kingston

Brilliant

A fantastic performance by a polished cast. The attention to detail and symbolism in the set was cleverly and skilfully executed. A full house, the majority of which were GCSE students, and everyone was transfixed. There was no interval but the play was so enthralling that it went by in no time at all. A lovely theatre that was a pleasure to visit. ... Read more

Upcoming Performances

NEWS, TICKETS, THEATRE & MORE

"Broadway and show news straight to your inbox!"

SHARE THE LOVE