Stephen Daldry's award-laden West End and Broadway production of J.B Priestley's classic thriller. Originally produced by the National Theatre now on a national UK tour throughout 2009.
‘OUTSTANDING. A genuinely great production, enthralling and visually stunning’DAILY TELEGRAPH
‘STUNNING. BLAZINGLY ORIGINAL STAGE IMAGERY. Dark and gleaming and elegant’NEW YORK TIMES
'INTOXICATING, THEATRICALLY IMAGINATIVE'EVENING STANDARD
‘SPELL-BINDING. GRABS YOU BY THE THROAT and won’t let you go. Long may it do so’THE GUARDIAN
‘THRILLING, MAGISTERIAL PRODUCTION’ SUNDAY TIMES
‘WILDLY IMAGINATIVE, URGENT AND THRILLING’ THE GUARDIAN
'A THRILLING PIECE OF THEATRE which MUST BE SEEN’DAILY MAIL
‘AWE-INSPIRING’ THE TIMES
WINNER OF 19 MAJOR AWARDS
‘Stephen Daldry’s thrilling award-laden production has returned. The defining production of the 1990s, a work of great directorial daring, breathtaking visual invention and passionate moral urgency.’ DAILY TELEGRAPH
From Stephen Daldry, Director of the Academy Award-winning blockbuster The Hours and one of Britain’s best-loved films Billy Elliot - now an Olivier Award-winning musical - comes the smash hit West End & Broadway production of JB Priestley’s classic thriller, An Inspector Calls.
Hailed as the theatrical event of our generation winning more awards than any other play in history, this magnificent production has thrilled audiences across the world with its epic and wildly imaginative staging, raw emotion, evocative score, lashing rain and searing suspense.
When Inspector Goole arrives unexpectedly at the prosperous Birling family home, their peaceful dinner party is shattered by his investigations into the death of a young woman. His startling revelations shake the very foundations of their lives and challenge us all to examine our consciences.
Written during the winter of 1944/5, JB Priestley’s An Inspector Calls received its West End debut in 1946.
Stephen Daldry’s revival of An Inspector Calls first opened at the National Theatre in 1992, with Kenneth Cranham playing the role of Inspector Goole. A huge success, celebrated by critics and audiences alike, the production received three Olivier Awards - for Best Revival, Best Director and Best Designer; and two Evening Standard Awards - for Best Director and Best Supporting Actress. The show transferred to the West End where it enjoyed a two year season, and then opened on Broadway, winning an unprecedented number of awards including four Tony Awards and seven Drama Desk Awards.
The production embarked on an extensive international tour across Australia and the USA and in 1995, launched its second West End season which ran for a hugely successful seven years. By popular demand, the show has also enjoyed six major national tours, in 1992, 1995, 1999, 2000, 2003 and 2005. The 2009 UK tour heads off to sixteen largescale venues, opening at the Birmingham Rep and ending at the new Curve theatre in Leicester.
This production of An Inspector Calls has clocked up over 4000 performances worldwide – making it the longest running revival of a play in history.
To read what the press have said, click the reviews button in the main menu.
April 1912, at the home of the prosperous Birling family.
Arthur Birling, his wife Sybil, their daughter Sheila and son Eric are in the drawing room just after dinner celebrating Sheila’s engagement to Gerald Croft, son of Sir George Croft, and heir to the most successful family business in the North of England.
Their cosy celebration is suddenly interrupted when Edna, the parlour maid, announces the unexpected arrival of ‘Police Inspector Goole’. The Inspector has come to the Birling home as part of an inquiry into the death of a young woman.
As the Inspector’s investigation unfolds, we discover that they each have secrets linking them to the tragedy. His startling revelations not only shatter the very foundations of their lives but challenge us all to examine our consciences.
This production of An Inspector Calls has won more awards than any other play in history.
WINNER: OLIVIER AWARD 1993 BEST REVIVAL, BEST DIRECTOR, BEST DESIGNER
WINNER: TONY AWARD 1994 BEST REVIVAL OF A PLAY, BEST DIRECTOR, BEST LIGHTING, BEST FEATURED ACTRESS
WINNER: DRAMA DESK AWARD 1994
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS, OUTSTANDING REVIVAL OF A PLAY, OUTSTANDING DIRECTOR, OUTSTANDING DESIGN, OUTSTANDING LIGHTING, OUTSTANDING MUSIC, OUTSTANDING SPECIAL EFFECTS
WINNER: OUTER CRITICS CIRCLE AWARD 1994 OUTSTANDING REVIVAL
WINNER: CRITICS CIRCLE AWARD 1994 BEST DIRECTOR, BEST DESIGNER
WINNER: EVENING STANDARD AWARD 1993 BEST DIRECTOR, BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Theatre: Billy Elliot the Musical currently playing in London, Broadway and Melbourne.
For the Royal Court Theatre – A Number by Caryl Churchill; Far Away by Caryl Churchill (also at the Albery Theatre and New York Theatre Workshop); Via Dolorosa by David Hare (also at the Duchess Theatre and on Broadway); Rat in the Skull by Ron Hutchinson (Royal Court Classic Season); Body Talk; The Kitchen by Arnold Wesker; The Editing Process by Meredith Oakes; Search and Destroy by Howard Korder. For the National Theatre – An Inspector Calls (also West End, Broadway and worldwide); Machinal. For the Gate Theatre – Damned for Despair; The Fleisser Plays (with Annie Castledine); Figaro Gets Divorced.
Many productions at Sheffield Crucible Theatre, where he started his career under the late Clare Venables. Productions at Manchester Library Theatre, Liverpool Playhouse, Stratford East, Oxford Stage, Brighton and Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Stephen was Artistic Director of the Royal Court Theatre from 1992–98 where he headed the £26 million re-development; the Gate Theatre (1989–92) and the Metro Theatre Company (1984–86). He is on the Board of the Young and Old Vic Theatres and remains an Associate Director of the Royal Court. Stephen was the Cameron Mackintosh Visiting Professor of Contemporary Theatre for 2002 at St Catherine’s College, Oxford. He has won many awards for his theatrical work both in the UK and the USA.
Film and TV: Stephen recently finished filming The Reader starring Kate Winslet and Ralph Fiennes. Stephen has produced two Omnibus programmes for BBC2. His first feature film Billy Elliot won over 40 awards worldwide and received 3 Oscar nominations, including Best Director. His second feature The Hours also won innumerable international awards including Best Picture at the Golden Globes and received nine Oscar and eleven BAFTA nominations.
Theatre credits include: Far Away (also New York Theatre Workshop), Via Dolorosa (also Broadway and Duchess Theatre, West End), This is a Chair, Body Talk, The Editing Process, Death and the Maiden (also National Tour), Plasticine and A Number all for the Royal Court; Peribanez, Afore Night Come (Young Vic, Evening Standard Award Nomination 2001); Albert Speer, Machinal (RNT); An Inspector Calls (RNT, West End, Broadway, International); The Ingolstadt Plays, Figaro Gets Divorced, Jerker (Gate); The Picture of Dorian Gray (Lyric, Hammersmith); Enter Achilles, Bound to Please (DV8), Festen (Almeida and West End – Oliver Award Nomination for Best Design, New York) and most recently Billy Elliot The Musical (West End – Olivier Award Nomination for Best Set Design, also in Australia and opened on Broadway in November 2008), Tintin (Young Vic at the Barbican and The Playhouse Theatre) and Vernon God Little (Young Vic)
Opera includes: Medea (Opera North); Tristan and Isolde, Der Freischutz (ENO); Ariodante (ENO, WNO, Houston Grand Opera); La Traviata (Paris Opera); Il Ritorno d’Ulisse in Patria (Munich Opera), Festen (UK Tour), Ulysses revival (Welsh National Opera)
Film and Television include: Winterreise (Channel 4); Eight (Working Title).
Since 1999, Ian has designed costumes, environments and sets for several Pet Shop Boys world tours.
Ian was an Associate Producer on the film The Hours (Paramount)
Awards: Olivier Award for Best Opera (Tristan and Isolde); Critics Circle Award (for Machinal and for An Inspector Calls), Olivier Award for Design (An Inspector Calls). Tony Nomination for Best Design (An Inspector Calls, Broadway); 2002 Evening Standard Award for Best Designer (Plasticine and A Number), 2004 Evening Standard Award for Best Designer (Festen), 2005 Olivier Award Nomination for Best Set Design (Festen), 2006 Olivier Award Nomination for Best Set Design (Billy Elliot The Musical).
Rick is Chairman of the British Association of Lighting Designers. He is originally from Philadelphia, but has been living and working in Britain for more than 25 years.
For his lighting of AN INSPECTOR CALLS at the Royal National Theatre Rick was nominated for an Olivier award; for the production at the Royale on Broadway, he won both Tony and Drama Desk awards, and in Los Angeles, Ovation and Drama Critics Circle awards. He has also lit the production for tours of the UK, America, Australia, and in Tokyo.
Recent theatre work includes: THE FAMILY REUNION (Donmar); BILLY ELLIOT the musical (Victoria Palace, London; Broadway, Sydney & Melbourne). Other theatre includes: SWEENEY TODD (Gate, Dublin); LANDSCAPE WITH WEAPON (National Theatre); RESURRECTION BLUES (Old Vic); TIN TIN (Barbican); BETRAYAL, THE PHILANTHROPIST, OLD TIMES, LOBBY HERO, A BOSTON MARRIAGE (Donmar); JERRY SPRINGER THE OPERA (National Theatre & West End); HONOUR (National Theatre); FAR AWAY (New York), A NUMBER (Royal Court); BLUE / ORANGE (National Theatre/ West End); Disney's THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME in Berlin; and VIA DOLOROSA (Royal Court / New York).
Winner of two Olivier Awards for Best UK Lighting Design. Recent opera includes: BETROTHAL IN A MONASTERY (Glyndebourne and Valencia); BILLY BUDD, RADAMISTO, LA BOHEME, DAPHNE, TEA, PETER GRIMES (Santa Fe); FIERY ANGEL, TURANDOT (Bolshoi, Moscow); A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM (La Fenice); THE LITTLE PRINCE (Houston Grand Opera); WOZZEK (Royal Opera House); GLORIANA and LA BOHEME (Opera North).
Dance includes Matthew Bourne's award-winning SWAN LAKE (London, Los Angeles, Broadway and world tour); and CINDERELLA (London and Los Angeles).
Stephen has written extensively for theatre – most recently “SWIMMING WITH SHARKS” at the Vaudeville Theatre, “CLOUD NINE” at the Almeida and “IN CELEBRATION” at the Duke of York’s. He has written scores for the acclaimed production of “THE SEAGULL” at the Royal Court Theatre and Broadway, “DYING FOR IT” at the Almeida and “PROOF” at the Donmar Warehouse, as well as “HOTHOUSE”, “AN INSPECTOR CALLS”; “MACHINAL”; “ROOTS”; “MAGIC OLYMPICAL GAMES” and “AT OUR TABLE” for the National Theatre. At the RSC: “ALICE IN WONDERLAND”, “THE TEMPEST”, “ROMEO AND JULIET”, “THE WHITE DEVIL”, “THE TAMING OF THE SHREW”, “THE CHERRY ORCHARD” and “CYMBELINE”. At the Royal Court Theatre: “THE NIGHT HERON”, “BOY GETS GIRL”, “MOUTH TO MOUTH” (West End transfer), “DUBLIN CAROL”, “THE GLORY OF LIVING”, “THE LIGHTS”, “HARRY AND ME”, “PALE HORSE”, “RAT IN THE SKULL”, “MOJO”, “SIMPATICO”, “THE EDITING PROCESS”, “THE KITCHEN”, “BLOOD”, “GREENLAND”, “BLOODY POETRY”, “A LIE OF THE MIND”, “BUILT ON SAND”, and at the Globe: OTHELLO, PERICLES, PRINCE OF TYRE; JEAN LA CHANCE at Theatre des Treize Vents, as well as music for many other plays. Stephen completed his first ballet score in 2005, “PETER PAN”, for Northern Ballet, choreographed by David Nixon.
Stephen Warbeck’s film scores include “THE OTHER MAN”, “PRINCESS KA’IULANI”, “FREAKDOG”, “MACHAN”, “FRENCH FILM”, “THE HESSEN AFFAIR”, “THE BOX COLLECTOR”, “GOAL 2”, “FLAWLESS”, “MIGUEL & WILLIAM” “CARGO”,”FEAST OF THE GOAT”, “ALPHA MALE”, “TRAVAUX”, “ON A CLEAR DAY”, “MICKYBO & ME”, “POUR LE PLAISIR”, “TWO BROTHERS”, “OYSTER FARMER”, “PROOF”, “THE ALZHEIMER CASE”, “POUR LE PLAISIR”, “LOVE’S BROTHER”, “BLACKBALL”, “MYSTICS”, “SECRET PASSAGE”, “DESIRE”, “CAPTAIN CORELLI’S MANDOLIN” ), “BIRTHDAY GIRL” , “GABRIEL AND ME”, “BILLY ELLIOTe), “QUILLS”, “ VERY ANNIE MARY”, “MYSTERY MEN”, “FANNY AND ELVIS, “SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE (Academy Award for Best Original Musical or Comedy Score), “HEART”, “MRS BROWN”, “MY SON THE FANATIC” , “DIFFERENT FOR GIRLS” (BBC/X Pictures/Great Guns), “BROTHERS IN TROUBLE”, “O MARY THIS LONDON” and “SISTER MY SISTER”.
In recent years he has written scores for more than forty television plays or films, including all the various “PRIME SUSPECT” dramas (for which he was nominated for a BAFTA award). He also writes music for his band the hKippers.
Julian adapted and directed The Three Musketeers at the Young Vic Theatre, which was nominated for a Barclay's Theatre Award in 2002; more recently, the West-End revival of The Shape of Things by Neil Labute, and The Barber of Seville at the Bristol Old Vic in a new adaptation by Lee Hall. For eight years Julian was Artistic Director of Soho Rep, New York and is currently Associate Director for Billy Elliot the Musical for which he won a Helpmann Award for the recent production in Sydney, Australia.
Inspector Goole
LOUIS HILYER
Mrs Birling
SANDRA DUNCAN
Mr Birling
CHRISTOPHER SAUL
Sheila Birling
MARIANNE OLDHAM
Eric Birling
ROBIN WHITING
Gerald Croft
ALISDAIR SIMPSON
Edna
DIANE PAYNE-MYERS
Understudies
Eric/Gerald
TOM COTTLE
Mrs Birling/Edna
SYLVIA SEYMOUR
Sheila
TAMZIN AITKEN
Novello Theatre, Aldwych, London WC2B
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Performance Times:
Tue - Sat: 7.30pm
Wed & Thu: 2.30pm
Sat: 4pm
Ticket Prices:
Stalls: £47.50, £37.50, £27.50
Dress Circle: £47.50, £37.50, £27.50, £17.50
Grand Circle: £37.50, £27.50, £17.50, £12.50
Balcony: £17.50, £12.50
Groups 10+
Best available seats reduced to £29.50 (Tues - Fri perfs)
Call Delfont Mackintosh Groups on 0844 482 5100
School Group Bookings 10+
£18.50 plus 1 teacher free with every 10 tickets bought (Tue - Thu performances)
Call Delfont Mackintosh Education on 0844 482 5165
Student Standby:
£23.50 (all performances exc Sat eve, available 1 hour prior to the performance)
To discuss access requirements and rates, please call 0844 482 5137
Novello Theatre
A DELFONT MACKINTOSH THEATRE
Please call your theatre Box Office or click to book online (booking fees may apply).
Discounts & fantastic group rates are available at each theatre.
The performance runs for 1 hour and 45 minutes with no interval.
BIRMINGHAM Rep
Fri 30 Jan – Sat 14 February
Box Office 0121 236 4455
www.birmingham-rep.co.uk
GLASGOW Theatre Royal
Tue 24 – Sat 28 February
Box Office 0870 060 6647
www.theatreroyalglasgow.com
NORWICH Theatre Royal
Tue 3 – Sat 7 March
Box Office 01603 630 000
www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk
BLACKPOOL Grand Theatre
Tue 10 - Sat 14 March
Box Office 01253 290190
www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk
SHEFFIELD Lyceum Theatre
Tue 17 – Sat 21 March
Box Office 0114 249 6000
www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk
WIMBLEDON New Theatre
Tue 24 – Sat 28 March
Box Office 0870 060 6646
www.newwimbledontheatre.co.uk
NEWCASTLE Theatre Royal
Tue 31 March – Sat 4 April
Box Office 08448 11 21 21
www.theatreroyal.co.uk
CHELTENHAM Everyman Theatre
Tue 14 – Sat 18 April
Box Office 01242 572573
www.everymantheatre.org.uk
WOKING New Victoria Theatre
Tue 21 – Sat 25 April
Box Office 0870 060 6645
www.theambassadors.com/woking
MILTON KEYNES Theatre
Tue 27 April – Sat 2 May
Box Office 0870 060 6652
www.miltonkeynestheatre.com
SALFORD QUAYS The Lowry
Tue 5 – Sat 9 May
Box Office 0870 787 5790
www.thelowry.com
CAMBRIDGE Arts Theatre
Tue 11 – Sat 15 May
Box Office 01223 503333
www.cambridgeartstheatre.com
CARDIFF New Theatre
Tue 19 – Sat 23 May
Box Office 029 2087 8889
www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk
LEEDS Grand Theatre
Tue 26 – Sat 30 May
Box Office 0844 848 2706
www.leedsgrandtheatre.com
NOTTINGHAM Theatre Royal
Tue 2 – Sat 6 June
Box Office 0115 989 5555
www.royalcentre-nottingham.co.uk
OXFORD Playhouse
Tue 9 – Sat 13 June
Box Office 01865 305305
www.oxfordplayhouse.com
LEICESTER The Curve
Tue 16 – Sat 20 June
Box Office 0116 242 3595
www.curveonline.co.uk
Stephen Daldry’s multi award-winning interpretation of J B Priestley’s An Inspector Calls has wowed secondary school, college and university students throughout the world since it opened in 1992.
As a GCSE syllabus text, the play is hugely popular amongst school groups, so we advise booking early! Take advantage of our generous school discounts, available at each theatre.
The 2009 UK Tour of An Inspector Calls is accompanied by an Education Programme, including a FREE TEACHERS RESOURCE PACK
The pack offers a variety of ideas for work to supplement your theatre visit and can be used both with GCSE English classes who are studying An Inspector Calls as a set text, and with GCSE / A & AS Level Drama or Theatre Studies groups who may be seeing the play as part of a more general course of theatrical studies. The pack offers an in-depth exploration of the play and features exclusive interviews with Stephen Daldry and his Creative Team.
Click here to download your FREE copy of the Teacher’s Resource Pack
PAGE TO STAGE
Nominal charge to ticket holders, 1 hour in length.
Aimed at GCSE students, the Page to Stage event looks at the production and rehearsal process addressing particular craft, thematic and character developments. The event takes place in the theatre auditorium prior to one of the midweek matinee performances. With a maximum of 200 places available at each event, we recommend booking early! Contact your local theatre for dates, times and prices.
POST-SHOW TALK
FREE to ticket holders, 20-30mins in length
Q&A session with members of the company, tailored to suit school groups in attendance. Contact your local theatre for dates and times.
ONLINE CHAT ROOM
Share your ideas and thoughts about An Inspector Calls with fellow students around the country. Log into the Inspector Chat Room and select or create a new topic for discussion.
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‘THRILLING. DON’T DARE MISS IT!’
DAILY MAIL
‘OUTSTANDING. A genuinely great production, enthralling and visually stunning’
DAILY TELEGRAPH
‘STUNNING. BLAZINGLY ORIGINAL STAGE IMAGERY. Dark and gleaming and elegant’
NEW YORK TIMES
‘As concentrated a piece of theatrical perfection as you will find anywhere’
DAILY TELEGRAPH
‘I simply cannot speak too highly of Stephen Daldry’s monumental expressionist reworking. I simply want to rush back.’
DAILY MAIL
‘THIS IS FIRST RATE PRIESTLEY played with atmosphere, purpose, style and wit’
FINANCIAL TIMES
‘One of the most INTOXICATING, THEATRICALLY IMAGINATIVE experiences of the 1990’s’
EVENING STANDARD
‘SPELL-BINDING. GRABS YOU BY THE THROAT and won’t let you go. Long may it do so’
THE GUARDIAN
‘STEPHEN DALDRY’S ASTONISHING PRODUCTION. Two hours of enthralling visually stunning drama’
DAILY TELEGRAPH
‘THRILLING, MAGISTERIAL PRODUCTION’
SUNDAY TIMES
‘AWE-INSPIRING’
THE TIMES
‘A WAKE UP CALL FOR THE PLANET’
USA TODAY
‘WILDLY IMAGINATIVE, URGENT AND THRILLING’
THE GUARDIAN
‘Ian MacNeil’s set, with its centrepiece of a crazy Wendy house mansion which lurches and crumples as the family’s cosy lives disintegrate, is a wonder.’
TODAY
‘Stephen Daldry’s EPOCH MAKING re-working of J.B. Priestley’s resounding morality play is a THRILLING PIECE OF THEATRE which MUST BE SEEN’
DAILY MAIL
‘WITHOUT QUESTION THE PRODUCTION OF THE YEAR’
THE GUARDIAN
‘Stephen Daldry’s THRILLING AWARD-LADEN production has returned. The defining production of the 1990s, a work of GREAT DIRECTORIAL DARING, BREATHTAKING VISUAL INVENTION and PASSIONATE MORAL URGENCY.’
DAILY TELEGRAPH
Producers
PW Productions Ltd
w. www.pwprods.co.uk
Kenneth H Wax Ltd
w. www.kennywax.com
General Manager
Oliver Royds
PW Productions
t. 020 7395 7580
e. olly@pwprods.co.uk
Press & Marketing
Helen Snell
t. 020 7240 5537
e. info@helensnell.com