An Inspector Calls

Wanneroo Repertory’s first show for 2024 is the modern classic An Inspector Calls, a beautifully structured play that reminds us that our actions have consequences and serves as an allegory for society and the events of the early twentieth century. Director Gordon Park clearly understands this work and has handled the production with care.

This ultimate example of “drawing room drama’ is actually set in the beautifully appointed dining room of the Birling family, designed and constructed by a team of seven and featuring the scenic art of Ursula Kotara and Tina Harper, atmospherically lit from a design by Ashlee Torrens and Vince Haines. Sound design by Reynold Bauer and Paul King was effective save for one overly loud door slam that had the audience giggling.

Set on April 5, 1912 (although the pre-show announcement inexplicably announced the year before), the Birling family are celebrating the engagement of their daughter Sheila to Gerald Croft, son of a rival businessman. Breaking into the reverie of the evening, a police inspector arrives, wanting to question the attendees about the suicide of a young working-class girl. 

Andrew Govey plays patriarch Arthur Birling with authority and believable bluster, while Christine Smith, if occasionally difficult to read, gave haughtiness and elegance to wife and mother Sybil. 

Andrew Brown is upright and uptight as the unusual Inspector Goole, delivering his final monologue with particular strength. 

Ffion Bishop shines as Sheila Birling, the first character to have self-realisation, and shows a maturing in real time from naive young girl to self-aware and responsible young woman. Jason Pearce plays Gerald Croft as a man of his time, his dilemmas believable. Jack Riches creates a caddish Eric Birling, generally believable - his tendency to smirk working both for and against his portrayal.

Helen Tudge efficiently completes the cast as maid Edna, while using her offstage time to also serve as crew.

This play, written against the horrors of the Second World War, and alluding to the darkness in the characters future, remains very relevant and still manages to shock and move a 2024 audience. Thank you, Wanneroo Repertory, for sharing this faithful incarnation.

Kimberley Shaw