When Inspector Goole arrives unexpectedly at the prosperous Birling family home, their peaceful dinner party is shattered by his investigations into the death of a young woman. His startling revelations shake the very foundations of their lives and challenge us all to examine our consciences. More relevant now than ever, this is a must-see for a whole new generation.
Running time: 1hr 50mins (no interval)
April 1912, at the home of the prosperous Birling family.
Arthur Birling, his wife Sybil, their daughter Sheila and son Eric are in the drawing room just after dinner celebrating Sheila's engagement to Gerald Croft, son of Sir George Croft, and heir to the most successful family business in the North of England.
Their cosy celebration is suddenly interrupted when Edna, the parlour maid, announces the unexpected arrival of 'Police Inspector Goole'. The Inspector has come to the Birling home as part of an inquiry into the death of a young woman.
As the Inspector's investigation unfolds, we discover that they each have secrets linking them to the tragedy. His startling revelations not only shatter the very foundations of their lives but challenge us all to examine our consciences.
Written during the winter of 1944/5, J.B .Priestley's An Inspector Calls received its West End debut in 1946.
Stephen Daldry's revival of An Inspector Calls first opened at the National Theatre in 1992, with Kenneth Cranham playing the role of Inspector Goole. A huge success, celebrated by critics and audiences alike, the production received three Olivier Awards - for Best Revival, Best Director and Best Designer; and two Evening Standard Awards - for Best Director and Best Supporting Actress. The show transferred to the West End where it enjoyed a two year season, and then opened on Broadway, winning an unprecedented number of awards including four Tony Awards and seven Drama Desk Awards.
The production embarked on an extensive international tour across Australia and the USA and in 1995, launched its second West End season which ran for six hugely successful years. It returned to the West End in 2010 opening at the Novello Theatre for a strictly limited season, winning a fresh host of five-star reviews. Due to popular demand, the production transferred to the Wyndham's Theatre for an extended run. The show has also enjoyed eight major national tours since 1992, most recently a sold out limited three week run at Alexandra Palace Theatre in North London and is currently on a UK wide tour until 2025.
This production of An Inspector Calls is the longest running revival of a play in history, seen by over 5 million theatregoers worldwide.
Oliver Award
BEST REVIVAL
BEST DIRECTOR
BEST DESIGNER
EVENING STANDARD AWARD
BEST DIRECTOR
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
TONY AWARD
BEST REVIVAL OF A PLAY
BEST DIRECTOR
BEST LIGHTING
BEST FEATURED ACTRESS
DRAMA DESK AWARD
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
OUTSTANDING REVIVAL OF A PLAY
OUTSTANDING DIRECTOR
OUTSTANDING DESIGN
OUTSTANDING LIGHTING
OUTSTANDING MUSIC
OUTSTANDING SPECIAL EFFECTS
OUTER CRITICS CIRCLE AWARD
OUTSTANDING REVIVAL
CRITICS CIRCLE AWARD
BEST DIRECTOR
BEST DESIGNER