An Inspector Calls at the Mayflower Theatre Southampton Review
An Inspector Calls
Mayflower Theatre, Southampton
5-9 April 2016
Reviewed by Angela Paull
Last night we went to see “An Inspector Calls” at the Mayflower Theatre in Southampton. The Mayflower is situated in the centre of the city and surrounded by many car parks. It is a bright a welcoming theatre complete with a restaurant, bar and snack bar in the foyer.
So what of the production itself? Well, when I say that my friend and I turned to each other at the end of the performance and both said “Well that was rather good – 5/5 I’d say!” that gives you an idea of how impressed we were.
The set was, essentially, a large “dolls” house which was raised off of the stage and contained the wealthy Birling family. Below was a rain sodden street complete with telephone box and urchins – a powerful visual representative of the huge divide between the upper and lower classes.
It is the social inequality which is the beating heart and soul of this play. The mysterious Inspector, played with great passion and conviction by Liam Brennan, slowly rips apart at the fabric of the Birling family. One by one their selfishness is exposed as he picks apart their individual roles in the suicide of a young woman.
Caroline Wildi, Geoff Leesley and Matthew Douglas are all superb in their portrayal of self-centred and deeply unlikeable characters, who demonstrate no remorse at any point. Their sheer unadulterated joy when they believe their evening has been an elaborate charade is both grotesque and fascinating at the same time.
Katherine Jack and Hamish Riddle, as the Birling children Sheila and Hamish, at least show some compassion and shades of guilt for their actions. They both brilliantly vacillated between the “privileges” their class afforded and a growing social awareness.
Prior to his departure the Inspector makes a moving speech which is as relevant today as it was a century ago, I felt quite emotional as we were reminded that our actions have consequences to others and that we should all remember to be kind to each other. It was a heart-stopping moment (lit with beautiful simplicity) that probably made every member of the audience think about how the messages from the play translate to global events of today.
The staging throughout the production was stark, simple and visually stunning. The collapse of the house of Birling was illustrated to great effect when the physical house on the stage collapsed in a flurry of pyrotechnics amidst dramatic music.
The production was an hour and three quarters long, without an interval, but it held my attention totally throughout.
As previously stated I rate this production 5/5 – faultless and thought provoking. Exactly what good theatre should be!
Rating: 5/5 
Tickets cost from £19.50 to £29.50 (booking fees may apply).
An Inspector Calls is at the Mayflower Theatre in Southampton until 9 April 2016. For more information or to book tickets click here or call the box office on 02380 711811.
Mayflower Theatre, Commercial Road, Southampton, SO15 1GE | 02380 711811
