An Inspector Calls

Review by Paul Towers, 21/3/23

An Inspector Calls by JB Priestly

Directed by Stephen Baldry

Produced by The National Theatre

At Curve til 25 March 2023

“a spectacular production”

You know you are in for something special when, as the curtain rises, there is real rain pouring down and a huge cantilevered house dominating the stage.

I vaguely remember seeing An Inspector Calls as a secondary school production but I have to admit I didn’t pay much attention at the time. It was just an extra couple of hours out of lessons one afternoon.

This National Theatre touring production is, as expected, of the highest standard. A first rate cast of jobbing actors give solid performances. No star casting required here. Designer Ian MacNeil’s set is astonishing, a huge two storey house which unfolds to reveal the interior and which ultimately not only falls apart but then restores itself. Extraordinary.

Set in 1912, just before the First World War, it exposes the class hypocrisies of Victorian and Edwardian England as an upper middle class family living in the Midlands tears itself apart.

An Inspector (Liam Brennan) arrives unexpectedly and starts questioning the family about the suicide of a young, pregnant working girl. Arthur Birling (Jeffrey Harmer), the patriarch of the family is outraged that his family is being drawn into someone else’s tragedy. His wife Sybil (Christine Kavanagh) is all Edwardian grandeur and haughty disassociation from the problem. The interrupted family gathering is to celebrate the engagement of daughter Sheila (Chloe Orrock) to eminently eligible Gerald Croft (Simon Cotton). The Birling son, Eric (George Rowlands) is like an over-excited puppy, far too loud and lacking social graces.

As the Inspector questions the household secrets emerge and the family unit starts to crumble and ultimately fall apart. At that very moment the house itself symbolically disintegrates spectacularly.

The denouement, for those of us that had never studied the text or seen the play or film before, was unexpected and eerie.

This is a spectacular production of an 80 year old text which still has a resonance for modern audiences.

While the entire run at Curve is sold out the tour continues.

 

www.aninspectorcalls.com

www.curveonline.co.uk

www.ptheatre.blogspot.co.uk

 

Mother Goose

Review by Paul Towers, 15/3/23

Mother Goose by Jonathan Harvey

Directed by Cal McCrystal

Produced by Ambassador Theatre Group and others

At Curve til Sunday 19^th March 2023

“a hoot of a show”

Pantomime always used to run til April and Mother Goose, by touring, is hoping to revive the tradition. And if this production is anything to go by it will become an annual event once again.

Just looking at the cast and creatives behind this production, dare I say it, you just can’t go wrong. A script by the comedy genius that is Jonathan Harvey (Coronation Street, Beautiful Thing etc etc), a cast that is headed by Sir Ian McKellen and John Bishop and a live band makes this an hilariously full blooded show.

Harvey has crafted a suitably funny show packed with gags and topical material. Slotted into the action, like all traditional pantomimes, are songs that range from Lady Gaga to 42^nd Street.

The story, such as it is, follows Mother Goose (Ian McKellen), her husband Vic (John Bishop) and their son Jack (Oscar Conlon-Morrey) as they try and avoid shutting down their animal sanctuary (cue an excuse for the ensemble to be dressed as animals). The latest rescued bird is Cilla Goose (Anna-Jane Casey) who turns out to be menopausal but manages to pop out the last of her gold eggs to save the sanctuary.

To provide the audience with reason to hiss and boo there are two fairies Encanta (Sharon Ballard) and Malignia (Karen Mavundukure), one good one evil.

Costumes for both Mother Goose and all the animals, as well as the sets, were designed by Liz Ascroft. Christopher Barlow had great fun designing and making some incredibly lifelike animal puppets to supplement the ensemble.

Unfortunately there are very few tickets left for the rest of the week at Curve. But If you can get one, grab it. This is a hoot of a show with plenty for both children and adults

https://mothergooseshow.co.uk/

www.curveonline.co.uk

www.ptheatre.blogspot.co.uk