An Inspector Calls – Review – Hull New Theatre

By Rachel Howard, February 2025

It’s not often you walk into a theatre, midweek, and find it packed to the rafters with teenagers… It’s an odd notion, but that’s exactly what meets me as I take my seat at Hull New Theatre for the opening night of Stephen Daldry’s staging of the JB Priestley classic, An Inspector Calls.

As I soon find out, this mass influx of teenagers is primarily down to the fact that An Inspector Calls is widely used as a GCSE English text, so the touring show provides the perfect opportunity for schools across the country to introduce pupils to the joy of live theatre, and the benefit of seeing a play acted out on stage in front of them.

But it’s with a little shame that I admit these teenagers are coming into this production far more clued up than the 44-year-old theatre critic sitting next to them, who has never seen, or read, An Inspector Calls (it was Romeo & Juliet in my day!). But I’m ready to learn, and look forward to what the next couple of hours (no interval) hol

As the curtain goes up, we’re met with a stunning opening scene featuring a house on stilts in what appears to be a bombed-out street (a little strange given the play is set in 1912). But it’s the special effects that really provide the atmosphere – a fantastically lifelike rain storm, smoke machines, lighting and sound come together to create a cold, oppressive mood, in complete contrast to the warm, cosy feeling emanating from the house – the home of the Birling family.

“Exquisite set”

The Birlings are a wealthy, upper-class clan who have gathered to celebrate the engagement of daughter Sheila (Leona Allen) to Gerald Croft (Tom Chapman), the son of the equally well-to-do Sir George and Lady Croft of Crofts Limited. It’s a match made in heaven, and as we, the bystanders, sneak a peek into their celebrations via a crack in the window, we start to build an opinion of these rather pompous and self-centred characters.

Soon, the house dramatically opens up to the audience, allowing us a full view of the party and introductions to the rest of the family. The man of the house, Arthur Birling (Jeffrey Harmer) proves himself to be thoroughly detestable, obsessed with social standing and money. His wife, Sybil (Jackie Morrison), is not much better, with an aloof persona that is as icy as the weather outside. Last but not least is Eric Birling (George Rowlands), the younger brother of Sheila, who has his fair share of issues, least of all a drinking problem.

But the frivolities are soon brought to an abrupt halt when a certain Inspector Goole (Tim Treloar) comes calling. Commanding the stage with a mysterious intensity, Goole informs the family that a working-class girl in her twenties, Eva Smith, has just died in the local infirmary, and it appears to be suicide, caused by drinking disinfectant. A shocking announcement you would think – but not for the Birlings. This is simply an unwelcome interruption of their celebrations, to which Inspector Goole is not invited. Why should they be concerned with the welfare of an impoverished young girl? But Goole is not easily swayed, and embarks on a mission to strip back the layers of the family to find out how each one came into contact with Eva and their potential contributions to her untimely death.

What follows is a masterclass in social commentary. The exploitation of the working classes and the ruthless dominance of the upper echelons is captured magnificently, not only by the talented cast, but also by the exquisite set design, managed by Ian MacNeil. The symbolism of the Birlings being placed higher (literally) on the stage compared to Inspector Goole and the local street urchins; the climactic crumbling of the family home, reflecting the downfall of the family; the infamous line “I don’t play golf” (if you know, you know); and most notably for me, Edna the housemaid (Alice Darling), who spends the majority of the play silently placing a chair down for one of her superiors, until the very end, when she finally takes the seat for herself.

“Wonderful twist”

My standout performance of the night is undoubtedly Tim Treloar as Inspector Goole. Prowling the stage as he strategically reveals everyone’s secrets, he combines explosive anger with more calculated, quiet charisma, eventually bringing each member of the family to their knees, quite literally. The one remaining secret, however, provides a wonderful twist in the tale at the end, and quite possibly gives a new meaning to the name Inspector Goole… (my lips are sealed).

JB Priestley put pen to paper for this tour de force in 1945, and one could be forgiven for thinking of it as an historical portrayal of society – a moment in time captured for future audiences to look back on. But unfortunately, the sad reality is that the same issues are still as prevalent in society today. The gap between rich and poor has never been greater, and as much as we have strived for a classless society, societal boundaries and social injustice are still very much part of our world.

An Inspector Calls may well give the students of 2025 plenty to talk about in their GCSE essays, but it also remains a stark reminder of our duties and responsibilities to society and each other.

As for the students in the audience tonight, they not only covered material for their English exams, but they unwittingly covered history, sociology and drama too. Not bad for one night out. As for me, I feel lucky to have witnessed a superb cast performing an absolute classic, and if you want to find out exactly what happened to the Birlings, Eva Smith and of course, the mysterious Inspector Goole, call in at Hull New Theatre this week…

‘An Inspector Calls’ is at Hull New Theatre until 15th February