An Inspector Calls to Call Again at West End Wyndham's Theatre

By Mark Shenton
04 Nov 2009

The return of Stephen Daldry's landmark production of An Inspector Calls, currently running at the West End's Novello Theatre through Nov. 14, is to have its West End run extended. It will transfer to Wyndham's Theatre, where it will resume performances Dec. 3, for a run that is now booking to March 20, 2010.

The production, which premiered at the National's Lyttelton Theatre in 1992 and subsequently played three West End runs and a hit Broadway engagement, returned to the Novello Theatre in September 2009. It has to end there to make way for the West End import of the last Broadway staging of Tennessee Williams' Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, which begins Nov. 21 prior to an official opening Dec. 1. Wyndham's Theatre has become available following the closing announcement of its current tenant, The Shawshank Redemption, which ends its run Nov. 29.

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.

Stephen Daldry, currently represented in the West End and on Broadway by his production of Billy Elliot (he also directed the original film version), returned to re-direct the production, which he first directed at the National Theatre in 1992, where it won three Olivier Awards and two Evening Standard awards. On Broadway, it ran at the Royale Theatre April 14, 1994-May 28, 1995, and won four 1994 Tony Awards, including Best Revival of a Play, Best Direction of a Play and Best Lighting Design for Rick Fisher. Designer Ian MacNeil was nominated for Best Scenic Design. MacNeil and Fisher also reprised their roles for this production, as did Stephen Warbeck for music.

It is presented by PW Productions, in association with Kenneth H Wax Ltd and Oliver Royds.

The cast features Nicholas Woodeson as Inspector Goole, David Roper as Arthur Birling, Sandra Duncan as Sybil Birling, Marianne Oldham as Sheila Birling, Robin Whiting as Eric Birling and Timothy Watson as Gerald Croft.

Public booking opens Nov. 5. To book tickets, contact the box office on 0844 482 5120, or visit www.aninspectorcalls.com for more details.