AN INSPECTOR CALLS AT THE PLAYHOUSE

Classic plays are difficult beasts to tame. They come with socio-cultural baggage – and it takes serious dramatic talent to bring them to a contemporary audience. Pateley Bridge Dramatic Society hits the mark with a compelling production of J.B.Priestley’s An Inspector Calls thanks to clever casting, subtle direction and finely judged performances.

The play, written at the end of World War II but set in 1912, was sidelined in the 50s when drawing room gave way to kitchen sink, and certainly it has its creakier contrivances. But the actors power their way through the script, and Priestley’s indictment of the hypocrisies of the Edwardian middle class becomes a scathing critique of rich and powerful self interest across time. At its heart is the notion of social responsibility – and that makes it fresh as paint.

Over a single evening, the mysterious Inspector Goole questions the wealthy Birling family over the suicide of a young working class woman and proves their collective complicity in her exploitation, abandonment and social ruin – effectively leading to her death.

Peter Buller ratchets up the tension superbly as the Inspector, capturing the dark, watchful strangeness of the character in mesmerising fashion. A consummate actor, he drives the inquisition through with immaculate timing as each person is kneecapped in turn. This is the Angel of Doom personified – a chilling and masterful performance.
	Jerry Harvey makes an excellent opponent as the pompous industrialist Birling – wonderfully (and often comically) smug but with a finely honed undercurrent of defiance. His is a big, bold, blustery portrayal of arrogance -
- matched to a sneer by Linda Harvey in imperious form as Mrs Birling – icily dismissive and effortlessly haughty.
	The younger generation is spearheaded by an outstanding Heather Appleton as the Birling’s daughter Sheila, and in many ways this is the gem of the night. In a poignant and beautifully judged performance, she moves from defensive hysteria to an awakening conscience – no easy transition, but she achieves it with great finesse.
Tom Barber gives a stylish account of her well-bred fiancé Gerald Croft and similarly shows a deft touch with emotional nuances, allowing the character slivers of compassion within the calculated self-interest.
	Sheila’s hapless young brother Eric is well played by Ben Derrick, suitably edgy and disturbed.
Katie Buller’s role as the maid may have been small but she was clear, confident, and looks set for great things at Pateley Playhouse.

I’d like to commend an eighth member of the cast who is unseen and rarely heard – the prompt Sheila Smith. In a text-heavy production like this, her silent dedication gives the actors wings. Mention must also be made of Stan Appleton and his team for a terrific period set. In fact, hats off all round to the cast, crew and director Brian Hicks for bringing this classic to vibrant life. It was a glowering, gripping evening of theatre.

Review by Cheryl Barber

Photos by Chris Iredale

[This review appeared in the Pateley Bridge & Nidderdale Herald on Friday 18 March 2011]