An Inspector Calls Opens in London's West End Sept. 25

By Mark Shenton
25 Sep 2009

Stephen Daldry's hit production of J.B. Priestley's An Inspector Calls returns to the West End, opening at the Novello Theatre Sept. 25 (following previews from Sept. 22) for an eight-week run through Nov. 14.

Daldry originally staged this production at the National Theatre in 1992, where it won three Olivier Awards and two Evening Standard Awards. It subsequently transferred to the West End's Aldwych Theatre, where it ran from August 1993-January 1995, then returned to the Garrick in October 1995, where it ran to April 2001. It was also seen in the West End at the Playhouse Theatre for a season from September 2001-May 2002. On Broadway, it ran at the Royale Theatre from April 14, 1994-May 28, 1995, and won four 1994 Tony Awards, including Best Revival of a Play, Best Direction of a Play for Daldry and Best Lighting Design for Rick Fisher. Designer Ian MacNeil was nominated for Best Scenic Design. MacNeil and Fisher reprise their roles for this production.

Nicholas Woodeson, who recently completed a Broadway run in the Donmar Warehouse production of Mary Stuart, returns to the role of Inspector Goole. He previously took over that role from Kenneth Cranham during the same production's Broadway run in 1994. Casting also includes David Roper as Arthur Birling, Sandra Duncan as Sybil Birling, Marianne Oldham as Sheila Birling and Robin Whiting as Eric Birling. Timothy Watson plays the role of Gerald Croft, and Diana Payne Myers plays Edna.

J.B. Priestley's play, which premiered in Moscow in 1945 before receiving its West End premiere in 1946 (when it starred Ralph Richardson), is described in press materials as "a compelling and haunting thriller." The story begins when the mysterious Inspector Goole calls unexpectedly on the prosperous Birling family home. Their peaceful family dinner party is shattered by his investigations into the death of a young woman.

Daldry, currently represented in the West End and on Broadway by his production of Billy Elliot (which he also directed the original film version of), has returned to re-direct the production. It is being brought back to the West End by PW Productions, Kenneth H. Wax Ltd. and Oliver Royds.

To book tickets, contact the box office at 0844 482 5170 or visit www.delfontmackintosh.co.uk.