An Inspector Calls Reviews

Tom Kingston from Romsey , England

BRILLIANT

A fantastic performance by a polished cast. The attention to detail and symbolism in the set was cleverly and skilfully executed. A full house, the majority of which were GCSE students, and everyone was transfixed. There was no interval but the play was so enthralling that it went by in no time at all. A lovely theatre that was a pleasure to visit.

Dan Lane from Emsworth, Hants

OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION

The pace, rhythm and melodrama is played to perfection and intensified by the supremely uncanny set that blends Edwardian gentility (period setting) with blitzed London (backdrop to writing). While the characters recognise, then variously explain away their complicity in Eva Smith’s suicide, the stage, and so the confessions, is haunted by figures of social conscience, judgement and consequence. The disproproportions of the house are perfectly in proportion with the egos of the Birling, and its symbolic rebuilding of ‘the House of Birling’ is in lock-step with the melodrama. A wonderful evening, thank you.

Sharon Weston from West Kirby

RUINED BY 90%+ OF THE AUDIENCE BEING SCHOOL CHILDREN

So disappointed. Wonderful to see the theatre full for a matinee & the majority of school children were impeccably behaved but the thundering up and down stairs by the minority was so disruptive. Also, some reactions to serious moments in the play were ruined by the same people jeering, whistling & totally missing the point. I was embarrassed. I hated the set, which was clumsy and made movement by the cast seem forced & stilted. Technical issues led to 20 min delay, which didn't help. I am glad there was no intermission, as I would have been unlikely to want to see the rest. The community, as they were referred to in the programme (extortionate at £5.50), just confused me & I didn't understand the relevance and the programme (the only reason I bought it after seeing the performance) was that I hoped it would explain the community's role. It didn't. I could not fault the performances of the actors but whilst loving the play, this production was dreadful. Bitterly disappointed

N I spired from Glasgow,

AN INSPECTOR SHOUTS

Very poor. Wooden actors who think shouting is all that counts. Small comedic interludes and ludicrous set.

Jane Macrae from Glasgow,

WORSE THAN AMATEUR DRAMATICS

As a regular theatre goer I can say this is the worst performance of a professionally produced play I have seen. First the set- ridiculously over-complicated house structure with miniature doors and windows which made the actors look like giants when they entered or exited - almost laughable. Then the acting- couldn't make out a word the father said and overall it was like amateur dramatics at its worst. The main character - the inspector- had an odd delivery where he over-emphasised by shouting every odd word and I did not like his comic gestures/ asides to the audience in an otherwise serious drama. In total a very disappointing experience - a marvellous play which I have seen many times -spoiled by a ridiculous set and poor performances. I have given 1 star for the excellent theatre facilities including the seats which were very comfortable ( compared to some London theatres) and which made the wait to the end at least bearable.

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