An Inspector Calls

An Inspector Calls

An Inspector Calls

London audiences will once again be taking a trip to the 1940s as J B Priestley’s popular play An Inspector Calls re-appears at the Novello Theatre this Autumn, providing a unique mystery for audiences to wrap their heads around.

It is a story that concerns suicide and the discrepancies surrounding it, whilst audiences mull over the existence of an important character. Such compelling prospects have allowed it to continue in popularity since it was first seen in 1946. Priestley penned the piece during 1944 and 1945 and it was initially showcased in two theatres in Moscow before arriving at the New Theatre in London with Alec Guinness in a starring role. Since then it has become engraved in popular culture, with two movies appearing over the decades, one in 1954 and the other in 1982.

But social responsibility is another theme running through An Inspector Calls as well as hints of Priestley’s criticism of Capitalist society. This production of the show is the next stage in a revival that has been ongoing since 1992, though other productions have appeared over the years, including a 1980s performance that starred Tom Baker at the Westminster Theatre and a Broadway version. Amongst Priestley’s other work is one of his famous ‘time plays’, the decade spanning Time And The Conways, in which his fascination with the subject came alive as the Conway family is observed in two eras, showing how the passage of the years changes the fortunes of individuals.

In An Inspector Calls we are introduced to the Birling family, who begin the show enjoying a large and peaceful dinner party in their home. But the night is turned upside down when Inspector Goole arrives at their front door, with shocking news that will take the evening in a new direction. It transpired that a girl has committed suicide and every member of the family knew and exploited her in some way. There are many mysteries surrounding the event and Goole will stop at nothing to get to the bottom of it fast.

But does Goole even exist? This is a question that has been on audiences mind for decades as reality is twisted in this compelling drama.

An Inspector Calls is at the Novello Theatre from Tuesday 22nd September 2009 to Saturday 14th November 2009.