大象传媒

J. B. Priestley's play continues to be a favourite for schools largely due to its accessibility and the simple yet effective allegory on the evils of capitalism and the class system.

And so the theatre was packed with school parties. It took a little time for them to settle, but soon they were totally engrossed in a stylish production which wrestles the play away from being a stock village hall production.

An Inspector Calls

One of the biggest triumphs is the set. The Birling family home is a quarter size house and the opening pleasantries are conducted in such a way that the audience looks up to the opulence and watches from the outside through the pouring (real) rain - very impressive. Once the inspector begins to bring down the Birling's fa莽ade, the house is split open and eventually comes crashing down with breaking crockery.

For teachers trying to make their charges appreciate symbolism, the production makes that task easy, with even a Brechtian "house lights on" denouement. I heard some audience members criticise Louis Hilyer's delivery of Inspector Goole, but I thought his slightly over the top Columbo style angst as he slowly tortures the Birlings worked for me! At one stage he was in the auditorium viewing the Birlings from the ouside. When they thought there was no dead girl and they were off the hook, the set rebuilds itself, while the public telephone box with its final chilling message reminded me of a device last used in television's 'Life on Mars'. Some may find these alienation effects too much, but for me it is a powerful consistent device.

My colleague Katy Lewis is one of the supernumeraries, the proletariat who stand by in silent judgement. Katy had prepared herself well and looked the part as a bespectacled office worker wearing听 a fetching cloche hat. At least she would have looked the part if we could see her! Standing at the back for the "big scene" she was hidden from view and only revealed herself to her fans at the curtain call. In the future though, Katy Lewis afficionados will be able to say "I was there."

This is a challenging, interesting production that emphasises the mystery and symbolism of a play that strips society bare. If you are looking for a pure piece of period drama, this may not be for you.

If however you have a fascination for the way in which theatre is able to take a play that has become overplayed and stale and inject it with a new energy and purpose, then it will not disappoint - unless you are going to see our Katy of course!

Katy says: Worry not fans! I have now manoeuvred myself into a space between a lamp post and the phone box, so you can get a clear view of me-听 if you are sitting on the right side of the auditorium that is - and fairly near the front - and as long as no one particularly tall is sitting right in front of you!!