THE best way to see a classic play is in a classic production and, in the Royal National Theatre's production of An Inspector Calls, that is precisely what you have got.
Under Stephen Daldry's direction, JB Priestley's thriller is an awe-inspiring piece - dark, chilling and wildly imaginative in its presentation. It is showing at the New Victoria Theatre in Woking until tomorrow (Saturday).
The energy within Priestley's fine dialogue is harnessed perfectly by the cast and used to create a production of huge drama but that is coupled with stunning visual effects and imagery.
When the mysterious Inspector Goole arrives at the prosperous Birling family to question them about the death of a girl, the revelations he uncovers destroy the very foundations of their lives.
Priestley's classic also challenges any audience who watches it to examine their own consciences, just as the Birling family are forced to.
That is where the beauty of this production lies - the impression is given that the audience is not involved in the action, but is merely observing from the outside the horrible trials that the Birlings are put through.
With an amazing set, which opens up to reveal the household, it is easy for the audience to distance itself from the Birlings' horror, but later the inspector suddenly draws the enthralled audience in, and so the question is put.
It is an exceedingly intelligent and elegant production complimented by several necessarily strong performances. Paul Shelley, as the intriguing inspector, is a dominant and fearsome figure while Rula Lenska is also excellent as haughty Mrs Birling.
The whole cast does a brilliant job with moments of comedy breaking through the more intense parts but, under Daldry's direction, it is the drama of the work which is stretched to breaking point.
The dialogue is liberally scattered with achingly long, intense pauses during which the cast survey each other in their psychological warfare. A fabulous score of terrifying and discordant music is used to great effect, heightening the tension at important points.
Visually too the audience is assaulted with a stunningly dark and moody set and spectacular imagery. New and imaginative visual effects just keep coming - watching the Birling house topple over is like watching Atlantis sinking into the ocean.
Simply put, this is an unmissable production. You won't find a better one of Priestley's best known work than this.
Andy Bothwell.
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