[Ad-gifted] Stephen Daldry’s multi award-winning National Theatre revival of JB Priestley’s timeless classic thriller, An Inspector Calls opened at The Regent Theatre in Stoke-on-Trent last night as part of a UK tour.
The play is set in 1912, at the start of the first world war, but it was written in 1945, at the end of a second world war hence both these times have been incorporated into the play to showcase the social and cultural changes.
The production begins with the arrival of mysterious Inspector Goole, who interrupts the engagement party of Gerald Croft to Sheila Birling, daughter of affluent manufacturer, Arthur Birling. They are soon told that he is there to interrogate the family about the death of a young woman called Eva Smith who has taken her own life and that they all played a part in her untimely and ultimately, preventable death. His startling revelations shake the very foundations of their lives and challenge them to examine their consciences.
Keep on reading to find out more about this classic thriller which is playing at The Regent Theatre until Saturday, 28 September.
What I thought of the show?
Soon as we arrived, there was an air of excitement as I noticed several groups of of high school children who were there to watch the play, with An Inspector Calls still part of their GSCE literature.
The theatre was lively and loud but as soon as the play started, you could hear a pin drop (or a popcorn crunch). The production is a three-act play, set in the dining room of the Birlings, an affluent family living within the fictional and industrial city of Brumley, in the North of England. Soon as the curtains open, it was a visual spectacle as we notice the cleverly designed set and staging by Ian MacNeil.
The Birling’ house stood grand on stills towering over the cobbled streets showing the difference in class as common children in rags played on the streets below. The use of falling mist, fake rain (which was so realistic) and fog helped create a haunting feeling and set the mood as Inspector Goole made his entrance. Tim Treloar who played the determined Inspector Goole (a homophone for ‘ghoul‘), was true to character (just like in the book) and showcased himself as someone ‘not to be messed with’ when he interrogated the Birling family, one at a time .
Opening up the dining room and bringing the characters ‘out’ (closer to the audience) during the interrogation was a great idea as it pulled us even more into the plot. Leona Allen played Sheila so well that I was drawn to her from the start. Both Sheila and Eric Birling (played by George Rowlands) offer a glimmer of hope and a willingness to change, showcasing Priestley‘s believe in socialism.
There was an air of sophistication when Jackie Morrison (who plays Mrs Birling) walked on the stage but she is soon reduced to nothingness with the guilt of what she has done. While Jeffrey Harmer (Mr Birling) brings forth both arrogance as well as his relentless anger, when he sees his family being interrogated by Inspector Goole.
Tom Chapman showcased his talent by portraying Gerald Croft as a pretentious upper class person to a tee and later showcases his sensitive side when speaking about Eva Smith. Shadowing the actors was Edna, their housekeeper (played by Alice Darling), who silently watched what went on and offered cups of tea and biscuits to the cast throughout the play.
Director Stephen Daldry has succeeded in creating suspense and excitement by bringing the characters from a book to life and keeping the audience engaged through out the play. Fabulous costume design by Caroline McCall showcased the class difference between the rich Birling family and the poor common people who roamed the streets.
Special mention also goes to the Lighting Designer, Rick Fisher as well as both Music Stephen Warbeck/Sound Sebastian Frost who created the dark and eerie scenes by using light to darken the set and the right music for suspense. The explosions, sirens and the Birlings’ house ultimately collapsing in the end creates the buzz and excitement needed and the show ends in a bang but leaves the audience questioning about the implications of social responsibility. Ultimately the play explores the themes of gender, class and that we are all responsible for each other and the welfare of others.
Cast
Tim Treloar – Inspector Goole
Jackie Morrison – Mrs Birling
Jeffrey Harmer – Mr Birling
Tom Chapman – Gerald Croft
Leona Allen – Sheila Birling
George Rowlands – Eric Birling
Alice Darling – Edna
Katy Dean, Michael Gukas, Pena Iiyambo, Simon Pothecary and Philip Stewart complete the cast.
Creatives
Director Stephen Daldry
Associate Director Charlotte Peters
Designer Ian MacNeil
Lighting Designer Rick Fisher
Music Stephen Warbeck
Sound Sebastian Frost
Casting Director Helena Palmer
Fight Director Bret Young
Executive Producer Iain Gillie
Producer PW Productions
How much are the tickets for An Inspector Calls?
Tickets are priced from £15 to £70. For Groups (10 or more), call their dedicated Groups team on 020 7206 1174 or email groupsales@atgtickets.com. A transaction charge applies to online/phone bookings.
How do I book tickets to watch AN INSPECTOR CALLS?
Tickets are now on sale and available from the Box Office, by calling 0844 871 7615 or by visiting ATG’s website here.
How long is the show for and what are the timings?
The show will be running until Saturday, 28 September 2024. The show runs for 1 hour 50 minutes with no interval.
An Inspector Calls 2024 by J.B. Priestley
Creatives
Stephen Daldry – Director
Ian MacNeil – Designer
Rick Fisher – Lighting Designer
Stephen Warbeck – Music
Charlotte Peters – Associate Director
Cast
Tim Treloar
The Inspector
Jeffrey Harmer
Mr Birling
Jackie Morrison
Mrs Birling
Leona Allen
Sheila Birling
George Rowlands
Eric Birling
Tom Chapman
Gerald Croft
Alice Darling
Edna
Philip Stewart
Supporting cast
Katy Dean
Supporting cast
Simon Pothecary
Supporting cast
Michael Gukas
Supporting cast
Pena Liyambo
Supporting cast
Where is The Regent Theatre in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent?
Piccadilly
Stoke-on-Trent
ST1 1AP
Tel: 08448717649
About Regent Theatre
The Regent Theatre is a theatre in Stoke-on-Trent, England. Constructed in 1929 as a cinema, it is one of several theatres in the city centre and one of two owned by the Ambassador Theatre Group. The building was converted for full-time use as a theatre in 1999, and since then has hosted a number of shows and musicals. The theatre is also the northern base for the Glyndebourne Touring Opera.
Tips / Information
- Masks and Covid passes are not mandatory in the Theatre at the moment
- Ample public car park spaces are available near to the Regent Theatre. The nearby John Street car park is the closest and it closes at 11.30pm while the Pottery Centre carpark charges a fixed rate of £1.50 (after 6pm) and this carpark closes at 11pm
- Accessibility: On arrival at the theatre there are nine steps leading from the front doors to the foyer. There is a small lift suitable for wheelchairs and buggies
- There is lift access to all levels from the foyer (with an audible announcer)
- There is an infra-red sound enhancement system in the auditorium
- Guide, hearing and other working dogs are welcome in all parts of the theatre, and water is provided for them on request
- Accessible toilets are available
You may also want to read this:
David Walliams’ Awful Auntie heads to The Regent Theatre
Review: Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance at The Regent Theatre
Review: PRETTY WOMAN THE MUSICAL at The Regent Theatre
Photo Credit: Regent Theatre/Tristram Kenton
16 comments
This is one of the all-time classics! The Regent always seems to put on a great show, so I’d love to see this one.
Yes a classic which is still relatable after all these years, one show worth watching
I haven’t heard of this show before, but it looks like a good production.
A fab theatre production, there is also the book and tv production as well
An Inspector Calls sounds like an incredible production, and I love that it resonates with the students studying it for their GCSEs.
The story is so relevant even after all these years and still relatable
oh wow! The decor is fascinating. I’ve never seen any show at The Regent, I can’t wait to do that.
Such a great set and there are so many elements to it as well
It’s fun when the audience gets pulled into the plot. A great night of entertainment.
Absolutely, as the show was very engaging
OMG! An Inspector Calls sounds like a fantastic theatre production. I love the costumes, lighting, decor…everything.
So glad to hear that. You would have loved to watch it in person Archana
The stage looks absolutely stunning – the house floating there is amazing! What an amazing production that you got to see.
Such an amazing stage set-up, and it was fantastic to see it in person
Nothing beats a night at the Theatre, watching live performances, this one sounds fantastic! Bet it was a great night out
Laura x
It certainly was, we both enjoyed it very much