An Inspector Calls
33 years after its debut at the National Theatre, Stephen Daldry's ripe and unashamedly theatrical take on Priestley’s chamber piece still packs a relevant punch. With a design aesthetic that evokes The Mousetrap—if it had been staged by Hammer Horror—this production embraces its pulpy, old-fashioned roots.
The show opens with Blitz-time children trying to force their way through the curtain—not merely breaking the fourth wall, but smashing it down. Priestley’s play, which explores themes of class and societal division, is brought firmly to the fore. Daldry uses these themes to sharply reflect on today’s world, all while dressing it up as a rip-roaring yarn.
From a design perspective, it’s a visual and auditory treat—from the ominous score to the dollhouse-style set, which collapses forward as the family's name is dragged through the mud. The production is an aesthetic triumph. Kudos must go to Ian Macneil's design which unifies beautifully with Daldry’s vision. Age-old theatrical devices such as a rain curtain, which reminded me of the National Theatre's The Crucible, are used throughout in ways that feel both affectionate and joyfully self-aware.
From a performance standpoint, Tim Treloar brings a portrayal of Inspector Goole that is equal parts anarchic and sinister. Treloar's delicious Welsh inflections further highlight the play’s central class divide. There are also fine performances from Tom Chapman and Jeffrey Harmer as Gerald Croft and Mr. Birling respectively, who fully embody the entitled masculinity of the era.
Perhaps the most layered performance of the night comes in the form of Leona Allen as Sheila: beginning as another self-serving member of the family, she transforms into someone deeply haunted—not only by her own role in the young woman’s death, but also by Goole’s ambiguous, almost spectral presence. It is a performance which grows and shifts in presence throughout the night and is undoubtedly its strongest suit.
With its persistently heightened tone, An Inspector Calls occasionally flirts with parody. Yet Daldry’s assured direction and an impeccable cast keep it grounded—as a haunting throwback with unsettling relevance to our present moment.
This show was reviewed at the New Wimbledon Theatre, London on the 27th May 2025 where it runs until the 31st May 2025. Tickets available here: An Inspector Calls Tickets | New Wimbledon Theatre in Greater London | ATG Tickets
Full tour details can be found here: An Inspector Calls
Review written by Alex Farley
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Photo credit: Mark Douet
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