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   Review: An Inspector Calls – The Lowry, Salford
An Inspector Calls – The Lowry, Salford
Director: Stephen Daldry Music: Stephen Warbeck Reviewer: Poppy Helm The Public Reviews Rating: Four out of Five Almost fifteen years since I studied An Inspector Calls at school myself, another generation of teenagers cram giddily into The Lowry to do the same – a testament to both the longevity of J.B. Priestly’s original story and the lure of Academy Award winning director Stephen Daldry (Billy Elliot, The Hours). Tonight’s National Theatre performance is a reminder of why the story stayed with me – and hopefully will do the same with today’s children – over the intervening years. Inspector Goole is an unwelcome guest at the Burlings’ house, barging into an engagement celebration by announcing the news that a local woman has committed suicide. Although initially uninterested and unrepentant, under the Inspector’s questioning this well-to-do family begin to unravel, uncovering a series of terrible truths along the way. Ian MacNeil’s set is heavy with neat symbolism; a grand house cocoons the family away from reality in the streets below. However, as the male character emerge, we realise the buildings proportions are twisted – doorways and windows are dwarfed in their presence – just like the perception of themselves in relation to the rest of the world. Later, as their world turns upside down the house too tips over, smashing its contents on the floor. Although the set remains largely static, the pace of the Inspector’s interrogation prevents any stagnation – no one is allowed to stand still for very long. Through a combination of menacing bursts of music (Stephen Warbeck) and Rick Fisher’s gloomy lighting scheme the audience are kept one step ahead of the characters – until the final twist, that is. Raising the house lights while the Inspector delivers his final monologue is a clever touch, showing that his message is directed to the audience just as much as to the recently exposed Burling family. All of the actors are convincing; Kelly Hotten’s Sheila makes a smooth transition from childish airhead to a woman with a conscience, while Karen Archer’s Mrs Burling remains frustratingly smug throughout. Tom Mannion’s Inspector Goole displays plenty of energy and a relentless pursuit of the truth that leaves nowhere to hide – we feel safe in his hands and absolutely confident in his ability to uncover it. The only dip is towards the end of the play – after the Inspector’s exit but before the final revelation – here few inappropriate giggles from the youthful audience suggest restlessness, but it is fairly short lived as the story takes another new turn. As such as effective device to compliment the Secondary School syllabus, the 2012 tour of An Inspector Calls is sure to be a popular one. But don’t feel you need to leave it to just the school kids, there lessons here on social responsibility apply to each one of us in equal measure
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