A MASTERPIECE of a morality play, An Inspector Calls is a powerful tale of altruism that still resonates with theatergoers today.
Director Stephen Daldry’s seminal production of dramatist JB Priestey’s classic tale has won a total of 19 major awards, including four Tony Awards and three Olivier Awards.
The director of feature film Billy Elliot and executive producer of Netflix’s The Crown is responsible for a gripping whodunnit that rivals the best that Agatha Christie can come up with and managed to keep Tuesday’s audience at Llandudno’s Venue Cymru gripped.
When Inspector Goole arrives unexpectedly at the home of the wealthy Birling family, their peaceful engagement party is shattered by his investigation into the suicide of a young woman.
His startling revelations shake their upper-class lives and challenge us all to examine our consciences.
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Superb stage design, atmospheric lighting, remarkable fog and rain effects and an unnerving soundtrack combined to give the production a bleak other worldwide feel.
The central set was reminiscent of a doll's house with the actors serving as the playthings of the Inspector.
The actors’ elegant costumes both aroused and calmed your suspicions when you yourself were left to apportion blame.
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In terms of performances, Tim Treloar was compelling as ‘Inspector Goole’, our avenging angel.
His self-riotous and often direct assessments of the family’s treatment of the victim were spouted with relish.
And it was his direct, broad, booming South Wallian accent that set the tone for a loud chorus of dramatic admissions and denials from our cast.
Jackie Morrison should be applauded for her performance as the thoroughly unlikeable ‘Mrs Birling’.
At times, her cold lack of sympathy, delivered in speeches in a tone reminiscent of former Prime Minister Margaret to her inquisitor, was a masterclass in acting.
Jeffrey Harmer was wonderful as ‘Mr Birling’, whose dismissiveness of the claims and his frustrations and full spectrum of emotions were brought to the fore as his family fell apart in front of him.
Some sympathy was felt for the character ‘Gerald Croft’, thanks largely to the performance of Tom Chapman along with the flawed and feeble Eric Birling, played by the tremendous George Rowlands.
Alice Darling was also brilliant as the ever-present ‘Edna’, while Katy Dean, Michael Gukas, Pena Iiyambo, Simon Pothecary and Philip Stewart completed the cast.
However, for this reviewer, it was Leona Allen as ‘Sheila Birling’ who proved most memorable.
The way she transformed her character from a carefree snob to a socially conscious member of society within the 100-minute production was magical.
An Inspector Calls is at Venue Cymru until Saturday May 17 at 7:30pm. For tickets visit www.venuecymru.co.uk or telephone the Box Office on 01492 872000.
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