Review: AN INSPECTOR CALLS, Theatre Royal, Glasgow, November 3 2015

An Inspector Calls opens with the Birling family enjoying a celebratory dinner inside their grand home. Outside the street is dark, rainy and more than a little eerie. Inspector Goole approaches the house and explains to the housekeeper that he needs to speak to the family.

Earlier that evening, a woman had died in the Infirmary as a result of swallowing strong disinfectant. Inspector Goole questions each member of the family, revealing their involvement (though they may not have realised it) in her suicide.

I studied An Inspector Calls in high school and my coursework came flooding back to me during the play. It would seem to still be a popular text for English classes as there was a high turnout of students in the audience.

The set is one of the things that this production of An Inspector Calls is known for. The attention to detail is incredible and the adaptability of the set is very impressive. The house is raised above the street (my Standard Grade English head tells me that this reflects the Birling family's feelings of superiority) . The rain and mist on the street is very effective and makes the play just that little bit creepier. The use of light and sound is also excellent and really enhances the experience.

An Inspector Calls runs at 1hr45mins with no interval and a few audience members were getting a little restless. Due to the nature of the play and the feeling of suspense that they have worked hard to create, I don't think an interval would have been suitable as it would break the mood of the performance.

An Inspector Calls is on tour around the UK.

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