An Inspector Calls

What is An Inspector Calls about?

J.B. Priestley's masterpiece of dramatic suspense follows the prosperous Birling family as they celebrate a daughter's engagement. Their comfortable evening is interrupted by a mysterious Inspector Goole, who announces that a young woman has died in the infirmary after swallowing disinfectant. As the Inspector questions each family member, it becomes clear that every one of them played a part in the girl's tragic downfall. The play is a devastating critique of social responsibility and class complacency that remains as powerful today as when it premiered in 1945.

Why see An Inspector Calls?

Stephen Daldry's landmark production, first staged at the National Theatre in 1992, has become one of the most celebrated revivals in British theatre history. The production's expressionist design, with the Birling house perched on stilts above a rain-slicked street, transforms Priestley's drawing-room drama into something visually extraordinary. This is a GCSE set text brought to life in a way that no classroom can match, and a gripping theatrical experience for anyone who has never read the play. The production has won four Olivier Awards and three Tony Awards.

Practical information for visitors

An Inspector Calls has played at various West End venues. Check current listings for the latest venue and performance schedule. The play is suitable for teenagers and adults, particularly recommended for GCSE English Literature students. Running time is approximately one hour and forty-five minutes with no interval.

Similar shows you might enjoy

For more thought-provoking drama, consider Witness for the Prosecution for courtroom tension, The Mousetrap for classic mystery, or The Lehman Trilogy for epic storytelling about the consequences of ambition.