Only yards away from this historic theatre is a statue of local boy made good J B Priestley so it’s fitting that it’s a full house for this revival of his spooky masterpiece.
Still a GCSE text An Inspector Calls was revived by Stephen Daldry for the National Theatre and since then Priestley’s combination of the supernatural and socialism has become a staple of the touring circuit.
Posh industrialists the Birlings are having an engagement party for their self-absorbed daughter in their mansion at the turn of the last century when a mysterious police inspector arrives to ask them questions about the suicide of a young local woman. Piece by piece Inspector Goole reveals the complicity in the death of these smug people, whose only concern is for themselves, but is their inquisitor all that he seems?
Aside from a very strong cast the other star of this show is Ian MacNeil’s quite brilliant set design that combines the eerie moodiness of London in the Blitz with the Birling’s mansion. It is one of the all-time great sets as we first see the Birlings offstage in their dining room before the set opens out to allow Goole to interrogate his quarry as they clamber round the set. And if that wasn’t enough there is a quite spectacular effect near the end that is breathtaking.
Tim Treloar manages Goole’s shifting moods beautifully as his anger rises at the callous indifference of the self-serving Burlings, but never overplays the avenging angel element. As Inspector Calls was first performed in Moscow in 1945 as Priestley was a lifelong long socialist, and Treloar delivers the playwright’s final plea for community and compassion with the required intensity.
Jeremy Harmer is back on this tour as arrogant mill owner Arthur Birling whose boast that all he cares about is himself comes back to haunt him, and essays his downfall with wonderful bombast. Equally good is Jackie Morrison as his status obsessed wife Sybil full of hubris as everything literally crashes down around her.
Leona Allen is believable as the flighty Sheila Birling before the self absorbed dilettante celebrating her engagement becomes the only character to find any sort of self-realisation. George Rowlands is a convincing drunk as the hapless Eric Birling who is the final piece in Goole’s macabre jigsaw.
An Inspector Calls is one level a classic example of a drawing room play but Daldry’s intelligent directions, and that magnificent set, gives it a modern feel that would have captured the imagination of the GCSE pupils in to see their set text live. It also remains a blistering critique of unfettered capitalism, and as Goole’s passionate speech rings round the theatre it becomes even more prescient given the trouble times we are living in.
An Inspector Calls is Alhambra Bradford until Saturday May 3RD. To book 01272 432000 or www.bradford-theatres.co.uk
Reviewer: Paul Clarke
Reviewed: 29th April 2025
North West End UK Rating: