An Inspector Calls - New Wimbledon Theatre

Perhaps one of the most popular theatrical works in the United Kingdom – JB Priestley’s An Inspector Calls sets off on tour to stun audiences across the country. The story follows a stereotypical upper class family around a dining room table as they celebrate the engagement of the family’s only daughter – Sheila Birling - to the son of a prominent businessman – Gerald Croft. The diner is then interrupted by the arrival of a police Inspector, coming to inquire about the recent suicide of a girl. What then follows is a series of questioning as we come to find out about every family member’s involvement in that poor girl’s dire fate.

As most of its targeted audience members would surely know, the show is written to be set inside the Birling’s dining room, with its characters sat down at a large decadent table. However, this production is far different from what one may imagine. Starting with a closed curtain and the arrival of several children, the identity of whom we never find out. Suddenly one of the children tugs on the curtain to reveal a most ingenious design. As rain pours onto the stage, the audience hears in the distance a dining room conversation coming from what looks like a human sized doll-house downstage left. On the opposite side of the stage stands a large phone box and a lamppost, which towers over the elevated doll-house, and an average sized model of the house in the distance. From the minute the curtain opens, the auditorium is graced with several loud gasps as the audience watches the eerie set with stupor.

Photography: Matt Douet

The performances delivered by the cast were nothing short of outstanding, each actor bringing depth and conviction to their role. At the heart of the production stood Tim Treloar, whose portrayal of Inspector Goole was both commanding and complex. Treloar infused the character with a brooding intensity that was palpable from his very first entrance, creating a presence that lingered ominously throughout the performance.

Photography: Matt Douet

What made his interpretation particularly compelling was the deliberate choice to emphasize the Inspector’s severity and forcefulness—decisions that, while diverging from more traditional readings of the character, gave the role an unexpected and unsettling edge. This harsher, more aggressive incarnation of Goole may not align precisely with the gentler moral authority often associated with the character on the page, but it lent the production a chilling urgency. The result was a performance that felt alive with menace and moral ambiguity, adding new layers to the familiar text. Despite a few creative choices that might be viewed as unconventional, Treloar’s Goole never lost its grip on the audience. His performance demanded attention, drawing viewers deeper into the play’s moral undertow and forcing them to confront its themes with renewed intensity. It was a bold, thought-provoking take that anchored the production with remarkable force.

Another standout performance came from Jackie Morrison, who delivered a commanding portrayal of Sybil Birling, the formidable matriarch of the Birling household. Sybil is a character layered with icy hauteur and moral rigidity, and Morrison navigated these complexities with remarkable nuance. Her ability to shift from cool, aristocratic detachment to visceral horror within moments was both chilling and captivating. With steely precision and emotional depth, Morrison not only embodied Sybil’s self-righteous façade but also exposed the cracks beneath it, leaving the audience visibly unsettled. It was a memorable performance – to say the least.

Photography: Matt Douet

In all, this production of An Inspector Calls is nothing short of a theatrical triumph. With its daring design choices, atmospheric staging, and an ensemble of pitch-perfect performances, it breathes fresh, electrifying life into a well-trodden classic. Far from simply retelling Priestley’s iconic parable, it challenges the audience to experience it anew—visually, emotionally, and morally. Bold in its vision and flawless in its execution, this tour offers a masterclass in how classic theatre can continue to shock, provoke, and resonate.

(Ticket gifted in exchange for an honest review)

Production Value: 95%

Value for Money: 85%

Overall score: 95% - 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Run Time: 1h50 - no interval