Director David Went has certainly presented us with a powerful start to Castle Hill Players 2024 season with their present production of AN INSPECTOR CALLS.  J.B. Priestley’s 1946 play is as relevant today as it was then. It is a scathing commentary on the British class system, moral smugness, and the devastating consequences of individual actions. Set against the backdrop of pre-World War I England, Priestley uses the Birling family as a model to highlight the social issues of the time.

The story unfolds in the wealthy Birling family’s home as they celebrate the engagement of their daughter Sheila. This apparently happy event begins to take a very dark turn when Inspector Goole arrives to investigate the suicide of a young working-class woman named Eva Smith. As the Inspector questions each family member, lingering secrets and moral weaknesses are revealed, challenging each of the character’s understanding of responsibility and duty to society.

Steve Rowe as Arthur Birling and Leigh Scanlon as his wife Sibil Birling perfectly portray the personalities of their haughty and self-centred characters who see nothing beyond their own right to lord over those beneath them and look after only those within their elite circle. Steve’s blustering and Leigh’s cold-hearted arrogance gradually diminish but never really evaporate as they slowly come to some part understanding of their role in the downfall of Eva.

Initially a very flighty personality, the daughter Sheila, played by Caitlin Clancy, is the one who most truly understands her responsibility as her character develops throughout the play. She and her confident fiancé Gerald Croft, played by the very smooth Jem Rowe, bounce beautifully off each other as they go through the motions of ever-changing feelings for each other as the events of the night unfold.

Mitchel Doran plays the unpredictable son Eric Birling who begins as a tipsy, irresponsible young man and by the end of the play has become a distressed, emotional wreck.

Entering through the audience, comes Thomas Southwell playing the imposing and slightly illusive Inspector Goole. With his menacing walk and silences, he allows time for his many accusations against the Birling family to connect with the audience as we are drawn into the wider meaning of the story. He slowly brings down each of the family members as he subtly attacks both their actions and moral compass and unravels who was responsible for the death of Eva Smith.

Adding to the setting and feel of the play are Chelsea Widdicombe as Edna the maid/Grey Lady and Lauren Asten-Smith, Babs Went & Felicity Palmer as street folk.

The detailed set, designed by Abby Bishop, of the dining room of the Biling’s house and rich costumes, designed by Leone Sharp, give a sharp contrast with the vision of the poorer outside world of the street folk. Lighting design by James Winters and sound design by David Went enhance the atmosphere and add highlights to gain our attention.

The play holds up a mirror to society and forces the audience to think about their own perceptions pf society and consider the consequences of our own actions…all within the guise of a clever detective yarn.

AN INSPECTOR CALLS is playing until 24 February at Pavilion Theatre Castle Hill Showground. Recommended viewing.