At the Torch |
| Torch Theatre, Milford Haven- An Inspector Calls , Torch Theatre, Milford Haven , October 11, 2010 |
Attempts have been made to present this play within a contemporary background, but fortunately Peter Doran and his team chose to keep their production of An Inspector Calls in the era chosen by the author so that the historical and sociological details are unchanged. And with its additional strong moral message to society, and in particular young people, I’ve no doubt why this play is a regular in GCSE literature studies. Any student lucky enough to see this production will be guaranteed an A*.As head of the prosperous Birling family, Marcus Knibb’s red-necked Arthur Birling is perfect as the greedy, bullying father, eager for his daughter to marry into the upper class, desperate for a knighthood and angry over the loss of fifty pounds. Christine Pritchard’s excellent portrayal of his wife Sybil’s pompous and assured blamelessness is endorsed by both their attitudes towards the maid, Edna (Janine Shearer) whose subtle, silent appearances in the background cleverly add to the mood of the play. Their daughter Sheila’s frivolousness is to be swept away by the shocking events of the evening, and Eleanor Howell’s character shows that spark of moral awareness that might just be strong enough to drag her brother Eric (Guy Lewis) out of his drunken languor. Both he and his future up-market, brother-in-law Gerald Croft (Gareth Pierce) illustrate their social differences, and their common disregard of women, perfectly. And there is the Inspector, circling but never setting foot on the set, his attire enigmatically from a different, later era - the impact of his presence on this family’s life, heralded by a cacophony of music and sound. Keith Woodason’s presence is immediate as he takes control of this family, silencing even the brash Arthur Birling as he questions each of them about a young woman’s suicide. Now the ingenuity of Sean Crowley’s set is apparent as the Edwardian dining room revolves to focus on Inquisitor and his subject, each of them realizing they played a part in the young woman’s suicide. Yet there is a constant, surreal atmosphere around the stage, and as the twists in the tale emerge and the Inspector’s questions impact on the Birling family, the tension and pace of the play accelerate to a dramatic conclusion, that leaves no doubt about it’s moral message. |
Reviewed by: Ron Waters |
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