An Inspector Calls at Sheffield Lyceum Review

DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW

Reviewed by LE

Sheffield Lyceum theatre was packed to the rafters last night with teenagers and school groups all there to see JD Priestley’s An Inspector Calls play, a stalwart on the GCSE curriculum for English and Drama. And what a treat they had! There is nothing quite like seeing text come to life on stage to understand the context and subtleties that underlie the writer’s prose.

The opening scene of the National Theatre touring play, directed by Stephen Daldry sees children, played by Oliver Hughes, Stefan Canic and Audrey Stone, running around and playing in the shadow of the Birling house, which towers above the rubble on stage. Dressed in tatty clothes, reminiscent of war torn London (and a stark contrast to the opulence of the Birling household), they reflect the time that Priestley wrote the play (just after WW2) rather than when it is set in 1912 and act as a reminder of the play’s political and emotional impact and its themes. Children are the future generation and will suffer or benefit from the actions of the older generation, which is as relevant today as it was then. These children aren’t in the stage directions from Priestley’s play and are added by Daldry but as they appear again throughout the play, possibly symbolising the innocents caught in the crossfire of adult decisions and failures.

Playing Mr Arthur Birling is Jeffrey Harmer who commands a presence and is perfect for this role, joined by Jackie Morrison as his wife Sybil, again playing the perfect part. Leona Allen plays their daughter Sheila and George Rowlands as their son, Eric. Completing the family is Tom Chapman as Gerald Croft and Alice Darling plays the maid Edna. They are having a party to celebrate the engagement of Sheila and Gerald, who is also a business man like Birling who sees this union as a potential deal in the making.

Entering the stage from the audience is Inspector Goole, played by Tim Treloar who lurks in the shadows of the house as the party is in progress, interacting with the children. His enigmatic portrayal of moral authority serves as a catalyst for the Birling family members to open out their secrets and confront their role in the demise of a young girl.

The set design by Ian MacNeil is striking with the opulent Edwardian home perched precariously symbolising the fragile veneer of privilege. The atmospheric lighting by Rick Fisher underscores the play’s shifting moods to build tension and keep audiences compelled.

The show runs for 1 hour and 45 minutes with no interval I have seen this play a couple of times before and each time I see new details in it, and this time was no exception. The actors played their parts with even more emotion, and the visceral performances were perfectly timed with depth for the family dynamic and powerful message they convey.

Tickets cost from £36.50 are in short supply unsurprisingly so grab yours whilst you can!

Rating: 5/5

Remaining shows are bookable from www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk