An Inspector Calls 2025

An Inspector Calls

Milton Keynes Theatre (UK Tour)

Review Complete

“A classic, beautifully executed.”

18th May 2025

Set:

The set was extremely detailed; a cobbled Brumley street with a Victorian corner home, with walls that open out into an upper-middle class dining room. The stage often rained or fogged leaving an eerie atmosphere with only the bright red telephone box in the corner to still be seen at times.

Plot:

A 1912 family celebrate the engagement of their daughter when an Inspector calls, informing the Birlings that a girl has taken her life and that they have all had a part in it. It is a thought-provoking piece of theatre that hammers in the importance of helping your fellow man, as well as what it looks like unravel one perspective of the world, only to see an entirely different, more visceral one behind it.

Review:

“An Inspector Calls’ is a well-loved classic that has remained relevant since its publishing. I think it is fair to say that many audience members will at least be somewhat familiar with the plot- particularly the younger generation as they have to study it at GCSE, so clearly this production is brilliant enough that there is still entertainment to be gleaned even when one does know the story.

The opening was extremely melodramatic but felt entirely in-place with the tone of the production. Heavy rain fell onto the cobbles of a misty Brumley street, with a full orchestral score booming in the background. From the getgo there are two working class children running about the streets either peeking into windows or begging for food. They are more or less in eyeshot for the entirety of the play which I found very creative as it really put into perspective just how self-absorbed the Birling family is compared to the outside world. Because the opening few minutes is behind the walls of the house, you can hear chatter but not specifics as to what is being said. This is a shame as so much information is given about the types of people the Birling’s are in this introductory dialogue, as well as vital parts of foreshadowing. For example, Mr Birling (played by Jeffrey Harmer) pompously gloats at his friends soon boarding the Titanic and remarks how it is unsinkable.

Eric (played by George Rowlands) also mentions the possibility of a war starting which Mr Birling instantly dismisses, even though the play is of course set only two years before the first world war. Sheila Birling (played by Leona Allen) is also interestingly set up in this dialogue as effectively a woman with no spine or opinions. Upon being presented with an engagement ring she cries to her fiance “Is it the one you wanted me to have?” as well as referring to her parents as ‘Mummy’ and ‘Daddy’. The audience see by the end the holes blown into Mr Birling’s overconfidence as well as Sheila’s stark change in maturity and self-awareness.

However, since none of the introductory dialogue could not really be heard, an opportunity was missed to really establish a foundation for the characters. All of the characters were incredibly strong and believable and there was not one weak link. I found Sheila Birling to be particularly suited to her role as, while she was completely incessant, you could often see the cogs turning in her brain as she tried to unlearn everything she’s been taught about the world.

Mrs Birling too (played by Jackie Morrison) was equally suited to her role as she had a calm and dominating presence yet still an explosive temper in her nastier moments. I genuinely did Love Tim Treloar as the Inspector, my only gripe is that he seemed slightly too emotionally involved than I would have expected, to a level it seemed slightly unprofessional. I know this is rich as not much about the Inspector is professional; his screaming at the Birlings and complete lack of bedside manner, but often the Inspector would have a near tearful face when talking of Eva Smith that it did feel slightly out of place for someone who more representative of a socialist mouthpiece more than an imperfect man with feelings.

Eric grew on me more and more throughout the show although I must remark that he did not seem nearly as caring as I have seen in past productions or even just gleaned from the script. While yes, he clearly felt a responsibility to Eva who he had hurt, he did not seem as remorseful or sympathetic as I feel his character should be- particularly having attended public school and clearly being of wildly different views than his father. One particular moment of the play I absolutely loved was the pyrotechnics and special effects.

Effectively when the Birlings realise just how deep they have dug their hole the entire set falls apart with explosions and sparks. I found this beautifully representative, particularly as they carry on the rest of the play in the rubble, meaning to convey that they must effectively lie in the bed they have made.

Overall I loved this production. I do believe that either a replica or at least a very similar production has toured in previous years but that does not make this performance any less effective or brilliant to watch. Unfortunately, so many themes and stories within this play remain relevant, and I know I was not the only one who felt chills when the Inspector delivered his final monologue directly to the audience.

I would highly recommend this play whether viewers are familiar or not. It is dark and raw and does not sugarcoat all the while still incorporating some light-heartedness and comedy.

Reviewer: Claudia Lynch

Photography: Mark Douet

We are Gifted tickets so that in return we may give an honest review. All comments are those of the reviewer and theirs alone.