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JB Priestley’s classic thriller An Inspector Calls comes to the Hall for Cornwall, boasting an impressive array of accolades as the longest running revival play ever, winning more awards across the globe than any other play in history, writes CHAOS Radio’s Dom Philbin.
The national theatre’s production, directed by three time Oscar nominated Stephen Daldry, is a visually stunning epic piece of theatre that has been seen by more than five million people worldwide.
On opening night it was observed that the audience was a mix of enthusiastic theatre goers and groups of students, studying the play as part of the GCSE curriculum, embracing the opportunity to see this timeless classic live on stage in the modern and cosy auditorium that is the Hall for Cornwall.
As the lights go down, an air raid siren takes the audience back to 1912, with a small boy taking to the stage by an old wireless radio. The curtain raises to reveal the set, against a cinematic sound score that, when combined with the fog and rain, creates an atmospheric scene that grips the audience from the very beginning.
The story is based around well off members of the Birling family, who are having a dinner party to celebrate the engagement of their daughter Sheila to Gerald Croft, the son of another wealthy family. Their celebration is disrupted when an unexpected visitor arrives in the guise of the mysterious Inspector Goole.
The inspector interviews the family one at a time, revealing a link each one has to the death of a girl earlier that evening. As the investigation goes on, the family are forced to come to terms with the realisation that their actions come with responsibilities and consequences, both for themselves and for the rest of society.
Tim Treloar gives a commanding performance as the Inspector. His deep Welsh accent, as evidenced in the exclusive interview with CHAOS Radio’s Meah Howlett at the top of the page, adds an authority to proceedings and his stage presence from the beginning, while waiting quietly outside the house, is suitably intimidating.
Jeffrey Harmer and Jackie Morrison play Arthur and Sybil Birling with a believable air of entitlement, and display a range of emotions from arrogance at the accusations, to despair and anger as the plot unfolds.
Leona Allen is excellent as the giddy newly engaged Sheila Birling. She lets the audience feel sympathy for her as she realises her past behaviour has contributed to the nights events and shows remorse for her actions.
Alice Darling’s role of Edna, meanwhile, has little in the way of dialogue, yet she oversees the plot unfolding beautifully, expertly on cue for providing services to the rest of the family as the maid.
George Rowland adds some well timed comic interludes as the naive young Eric Birling, coming to terms with his drunken behaviour and the repercussions of a frivolous lifestyle.
Finally, Tom Chapman’s portrayal of Gerald Croft is on par with the rest of this amazing cast. When telling the Inspector his story, the pauses that come with the realisation of what he admits to are perfectly executed.
The play itself carries a deep moral message, that is as relevant today as when it was written 80 years ago. In JB Priestley’s own words: “My own personal view for what it’s worth, is that we must stop thinking in terms of property and power and begin thinking in terms of community and creation.
“We want a world that offers people not the dubious pleasures of power, but the maximum opportunities for creation. And even already, in the middle of this war [World War II], I can see that the world is shaping itself.
“Property is that old-fashioned way of thinking of a country as a thing, and a collection of things on that thing, all owned by certain people and constituting property, instead of thinking of that country as the home of a living society, and considering the welfare of that society, the community itself as the first test.”
The whole experience of An Inspector Calls at the Hall for Cornwall is a delight from start to finish. The auditorium has a wonderfully comfortable atmosphere and amazing sound, the set is well designed and reserves some unexpected surprises to make the audience gasp.
The cast held the attention of everyone for the entirety of the play, and received a well deserved ovation for an outstanding production.
An Inspector Calls runs until Saturday 15th March, daily at 7:30pm, with matinees on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday at 2:30pm.
The last few tickets are available to book now, via www.hallforcornwall.co.uk.
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