An Inspector Calls at The Alex in Birmingham
An Inspector Calls didn’t gently knock the door last night at the Alex theatre in Birmingham, it kicked down the door and had you gripped from beginning to the end!
I vaguely remember reading this book at school but didn’t really enjoy it at the time but having seen the book brought to life on stage it was truly mesmerizing and so engaging. The cast were marvellous, the stage setting was very clever, a bit eerie and it made you feel like you were watching the show from the street and the music was outstanding.
The Birling family were enjoying a family dinner to celebrate their daughter’s engagement to Gerald Croft and everyone was in high spirits and feeling very pleased with themselves, the perfect match has been made. However the evening is disrupted by an inspector who is making inquiries about a previous employee who’s come to a fatal end and the evening begins to unravel for everyone!
Tim Trelor acted Inspector Goole with depth, emotion and had us all on the edge of our seats with his lines of inquiries and dogged determination to find out the truth from all the family, his command of the stage and his stage presence was truly magnificent.
Jeffrey Harmer as Mr Birling was superb as the indignant, superior head of the family who believes wealth, power and money gives you right to act and do as you please and doesn’t care who he tramples on to get to what he wants.
Jackie Morrison as Mrs Birling played the part of the society wife with ease and style but behind the fancy clothes and benevolent grandeur lies a mean, prejudiced lady who likes to think she’s doing good in her community by helping the unfortunate families but really it’s about power, superiority and control.
Tom Chapman acts the charming Gerald Croft sublimely with his charismatic personality shining through but the mild mannered gentleman’s mask begins to slip when his past misdemeanours catch up with him.
Leona Allen acts the part of the dutiful daughter Sheila Birling superbly. She’s the first member of the family to realise that they’ve all acted so selfishly and she begins to understand why the Inspector is calling.
George Rowlands acts the selfish, privileged son of the Birlings with pomp and frivolity but he soon realises that his privileged life doesn’t help at all when things begin to unravel and they’re all in a web of prejudice and deceit.
This story was set in the early 1900’s but it still resonates today as being kind to others and trying not to judge others for their hardships and life circumstances is still relevant and perhaps some of us could do with a call from an Inspector!
A must see show for anyone sitting their GCSE’s or future exams as it’s a great way to absorb the story line for all the questions that will be asked.
A 5 star production of a classic book that will have you leaving the theatre asking who is Inspector Goole!
on until Sat 10 May
Book your tickets HERE
