Review - An Inspector Calls

An Inspector Calls

By J B Priestley

Presented by The Mount Players

Director          Julie Wade

Producers      Yasna Blandin de Chalain

                        Julie Wade

Set Design      Margaret Muehlheim

Mr Arthur Birling      Christopher Haddon

Mrs Sybil Birling        Ingrid Gang

Sheila Birling             Leigh Tangee

Eric Birling                 Ryan Vanderzweep

Gerald Croft               Bradley Chivell

Inspector Goole         Frank O’Connor

Enda the Maid           Zoe Shepherd

By J B Priestley

Mount View Theatre:  August – September 2015

An Inspector Calls a theatre classic or ‘piece preserved in aspic’?  I am grateful to The Mount Players for bring us, what is, I guess, ostensibly a ‘museum piece’.   In this way they have reminded us of just how pertinent and relevant theatre classics can be.  This is a very interesting, worthwhile and well managed production – a must to see for any lover of classic theatre.

To set the mood of the era for Christina Finch has gathered together a delightful sextet to play music of the 1912 in the foyer.  This is when J B Priestly set this work he wrote in 1945.  Ms. Finch makes some excellent music choices for absorbing the ambiance whilst sipping sherry.

On entering the theatre one notices that the set is painted the same color as the auditorium - which has a subliminal affect of including the audience in the follies of the characters.

The story is about a manufacturing family and their social standing, self-importance, ambitions and the societal structures that endorse secrecy, deception and unforgivable cruelty.  And that is all I am going to give away.

Directed with comfortable competence by Julie Wade it is a production in which all actors excel.  Mr. Arthur Birling is presented to us with just the right presence imbued with power and determination by Christopher Haddon.  Mr Haddon has a wonderfully booming voice that he uses to great effect at appropriate times.  Ingrid Gang is very impressive and imposing as Mrs Sybil Burling who in her cruel actions epitomizes the double standards of a not so distant era.  It is always a pleasure to watch Ms Gang in action.  Inspector Goole is played in a very clear and level headed manner by Frank O’Connor.  Gerald Croft cuts a stylish figure and shows much promise, as an actor, as young buck and suitor Bradley Chivell.  Ryan Vandersweep truly comes into character (Eric Birling) in the third act of the play where he elicits sympathy and understanding.  Leigh Tangee shines as the smart quick witted and kind hearted Shelia Birling.   And Zoe Shepard makes an appropriate and sweet maid Edna.

A rich and rewarding night of thought provoking Theatre.

Suzanne Sandow

(For Stage Whispers)