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An Inspector Calls by J. B. Priestley Play October 2007
Directed by Vanessa Sharpe Produced by Jo Finch
An
Inspector’s Triumph If
you missed the performance of “An Inspector Calls” you missed a treat. This
was the King’s Somborne Players’ autumn production, written by J. B.
Priestley, a much more serious play than their usual choice. Priestley
makes you consider the consequences of the different actions of a wealthy
Edwardian family suspected of being involved with the suicide of a young girl.
All the more thought-provoking as the message of “shared responsibility” is
as true today as it was in Priestley’s Edwardian setting. Thus
it is not the easiest of plays to perform and carry off convincingly. However
everyone had worked very hard to achieve a high standard and a well delivered
performance. Directed
by Vanessa Sharpe, the cast kept us rapt as they portrayed their characters.
There was atmosphere, mystery, humour, conflict and tender emotion. The
latter was beautifully evoked when the daughter Sheila Birling (Catherine
Cartwright) breaks off her engagement to Gerald Croft (Chris Hall). We had
pomposity from an outraged father, Mr Birling (David Haydon), disdain from an
indignant mother, Mrs Birling (Sue Holligan), concern and carelessness from
the spoilt son, Eric Birling (Alan Glynne Jones) and from the maid (Phyllis
Bennett)’s brief appearance, a hint of her precarious position in Edwardian
society. At this point special mention has to be made of Sarah Litton who
played the Inspector. This was a first class performance that held the play
together. From the outset Sarah gave the Inspector a presence and all the
mystery and intensity the script required. Credit
must also be given to Chris Hall for the stage setting, immediately recognisable
as a tasteful Edwardian dining room, decorated with original oil paintings,
genuine antique furniture and a wonderful portrait of Mr Birling by Keith
Chapman. Finally,
it was gratifying that there were good audiences both nights. This included a
large party of school children who had traveled 60 miles to attend the Friday
performance and post show discussion, as well as friends and visitors from
other am-dram groups. Congratulations
I say to King’s Somborne Players – keep up the good work!
Reviewed by Vicky Burden for the Gauntlet
The Players’ production of J.B. Priestley’s “An Inspector
Calls” in October 2007 was a huge success. We attracted larger audiences than
in the past few years for the play and made a healthy profit of £464. Over
the two nights 180 people attended, including a group of 50 school children
from Wiltshire who stayed after the performance to ask the cast and director
some questions. The Players received excellent feedback from the audience who
particularly enjoyed the choice of play, the quality of acting, the costumes
and the bar! The committee would like to thank Vanessa Sharpe for
directing, Jo Finch for producing and Chris Hall for the set design and
creation – all of whom put in many hours to make this production a triumph.
Vanessa would like to extend her particular thanks and commendations to the
cast, who had a tougher job than ever before learning a huge amount of lines
and delivering a serious and dramatic performance, and who all rose to the
challenge beautifully. Thanks as well to any one who helped out in any way;
productions of this scale can only work as a team effort and all
contributions are appreciated. An Inspector Calls by J. B. Priestley The time is a spring evening in 1912. The place is the dining room of the Birlings’ house in Brumley, an
industrial city in the As the scene opens, the Birlings are enjoying a cosy family dinner, unaware
that their celebrations are about to be interrupted by an imposing figure who
will change the mood, and possibly their lives… ____________________________________________ The play is performed in three acts. There are two intervals of 15 minutes during which drinks will be
available from the bar. The raffle will be drawn in the second interval. Cast
Crew
The Somborne
Players would like to thank… Cross
Stores for selling tickets Globe
Galleries, Jackie and
John Chalcraft for the loan of furniture Waitrose,
Romsey for the loan of wine glasses All who
donated raffle prizes All who
loaned props Coming soon to a Village
Hall near you… The Somborne Players present Cinderella Friday 22nd
and Saturday 23rd February You
won’t want to miss this one! Put it in your diary now. www.giraffeandtiger.plus.com/players somborneplayers@googlemail.com |
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