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an inspector calls
by kevinwilson @ 2008-02-23 - 16:09:43

i saw this play in london years ago and really enjoyed it.

it was the first time i noticed the real difference between amateur and professional theatre in that every single person was good - flawless in delivering lines and just about everything else.
it was a real eye opener after many years covering amateur dramatics as a cub reporter in the north west.
i think theatre and opera are just about the two best nights out it's possible to have - as long as there is time for food and drink as part of the treat.
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midorikaerumidorikaeru [Member]
2008-02-23 @ 16:23

At last - pleeeeeeeeeeeeease explain to me what actually happened - they all discovered their connections to the dead woman, then at the very end an actual inspector calls - what was the point being made?!? Why two?

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kevinwilsonkevinwilson pro
2008-02-23 @ 21:39

priestley wanted the play to leave unanswered questions so i doubt i can clear up the mystery!

i nicked the following from wikipedia (where else?!)

* The play is set in Brumley and revolves around the questioning of a family by Inspector Goole about the suicide of a young woman that the family knew. Many events which happen after the play are contradicted by Arthur Birling (such as the Titanic being unsinkable and that war with Germany would never happen). These are examples of dramatic irony.
* The play takes place in one set (the dining room of the Birlings' house), in real time. This is a dramatic device that keeps the audience's attention on the dialogue as well as the timing of the entrances and exits.
Foreshadowing is also a large part throughout the play. J.B Priestley drops many hints about what could happen later on in the story.

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thespianthespian pro
2008-02-24 @ 00:48

J B Priestley seems to have been making lots of points with this play.
I tried, but gave up, but there it is worth getting hold of a copy of the play -I find reading them is a good way of helping you sort it out in your own mind.

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PrettyintelligentprincessPrettyintelligentprincess [Member]
2008-02-23 @ 17:04

Absolutely a man of my own heart!

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thespianthespian pro
2008-02-23 @ 21:00

Mine, too!

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kevinwilsonkevinwilson pro
2008-02-23 @ 21:40

that's a lovely thing to say, thank you xx

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Miza-TMiza-T [Member]
2008-02-23 @ 17:28

I love theatre and musicals. Never been to an opera, but I want to. I'm pleased to know not all english people think going to the pub is the best or only thing to do.

xx

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kevinwilsonkevinwilson pro
2008-02-23 @ 21:41

i love opera - went to the royal opera house three times at great expense but it was worth every penny!
you must go if you get the chance.

xx

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Miza-TMiza-T [Member]
2008-02-23 @ 21:46

and I will, as soon as I get the chance. :)

xx

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kevinwilsonkevinwilson pro
2008-02-23 @ 23:54

i really hope it comes soon - and please, please tell me all about it!

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Miza-TMiza-T [Member]
2008-02-24 @ 01:08

I certainly will:)
I live at walking distance of the Liverpool Empire, and I will keep a look at what's on:)

xx

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kevinwilsonkevinwilson pro
2008-02-24 @ 12:22

i miss out on that now i'm on my island.
i think even if i was really short of money, i'd blow it on a trip to the theatre or opera.
xx

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lee954lee954 [Member]
2008-02-23 @ 17:57

The difference is even more noticeable with actors who are at the top of their profession.

I once saw Steven Berkoff in a production at The Crucible Theatre in Sheffield [I think] and there was a problem with the lighting; so he just found a spot light that worked, stood under it and did an impromptu monologue about theatrical disasters...it was better than the script!

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kevinwilsonkevinwilson pro
2008-02-23 @ 21:41

good story, thanks!

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deleted user [Visitor]

2008-02-23 @ 21:36

i think the whole thing is nobody actually know whether its the same woman they all wronged, or different woman and he was making a point. I loved it when we read it at school, and i'd love to see the play.
I go to the ballet & the theatre as much as i can, and also saw my first opera the other day and loved it!!

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kevinwilsonkevinwilson pro
2008-02-23 @ 21:43

thanks for the explanation which is spot on.

which opera did you go to see??
hope you join the group!

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deleted user [Visitor]

2008-02-24 @ 00:10

thank you :)

i went to see madama butterfly - :oops: i have to say honestly i was crying at the end, it was just so sad!!

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kevinwilsonkevinwilson pro
2008-02-24 @ 00:22

oh don't worry - i always cry at the end!
whatever it is!

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deleted user [Visitor]

2008-02-24 @ 00:24

heehee, its the first but by no means the last.
then again, a few of the ballets i've been to had me sheeding a sly tear too

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midorikaerumidorikaeru [Member]
2008-02-23 @ 23:39

The way I understood it was, the first inspector wasn't real; he was something supernatural who turned up to make them admit their connections with the dead woman before the actual inspector arrived... HEY - maybe so that they would all know their connection beforehand, to see whether they'd admit to it without being pushed... or maybe it was a different woman, and the first was just to open eyes to the idea of cuplability; of all actions having consequences... now that I think about it, I don't reckon the first dead woman existed... dunno; did it at school too so it's been a while!

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deleted user [Visitor]

2008-02-24 @ 00:09

true but as each time the woman had a different name, it makes you wonder it they were aliases for the same woman, or different women. nobody in my class seemed to get that!! lol

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midorikaerumidorikaeru [Member]
2008-02-24 @ 00:19

Oh, I'd forgottern about that bit... makes me think the first inspector (who I maintain wasn't real) was impressing the idea of culpability on them, by pretending that the various women they'd all wronged were the same person so he could get them all involved...

My brain hurts! I definitely couldn't cope with high school English again!

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deleted user [Visitor]

2008-02-24 @ 00:23

i agree with you there, im not sure he's real especially as the 'victim' hadn't died yet!!

i think i might go the library to get this out when i come back off hols!

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kevinwilsonkevinwilson pro
2008-02-24 @ 00:23

it's fascinating stuff.
you should write your own critique and get it out of your system!
seen any other plays more recently?

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midorikaerumidorikaeru [Member]
2008-02-24 @ 01:01

It's funny how things like that stick in your head from over a decade ago, but you can't remember whether you locked the front door this morning, innit?

Saw "Sundowne" a coupla weeks ago, it's touring the Highlands just now... absolutely brilliant production - it's true what you say about the diffenece between amateurs and professionals. Do go and see it of you get the chance! (and tell me what happened in the last half-hour, cos I had to leave before the end to get my bus - gutted!)

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kevinwilsonkevinwilson pro
2008-02-24 @ 00:24

just noticed - you joined!
great!

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Goldencoco83Goldencoco83 [Member]
2008-02-28 @ 15:17

I too loved this play. We read it at school for GCSE English Lit and went to see the play afterwards...J.B Priestly really knows how to show and not tell!!

Thanks for starting up this group, Thespian!! :D

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thespianthespian pro
2008-02-28 @ 15:33

It's great that you've joined!

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