An Inspector Calls by J.B. Priestley

An Inspector Calls by J.B. Priestley

"An Inspector Calls" is a play written by J.B. Priestley in 1945. He

set the play in 1912 about a family of Capitalists who don't realise

how their actions affect other people. In 1954 a film adaptation

directed by Guy Hamilton was produced, and subsequently in 1992 a

Royal National Theatre production, directed by Stephen Daldry, was

created.

The themes of the play are related to JB Priestley's own viewpoints as

a socialist, so that he can convey his message whoever reads the play.

Primarily the main theme of the play is the Capitalists dominance, and

their relationship with the Socialists. Other themes of the play

include sense of community, male dominance and inequality.

I have decided to stage a section of the play from where Eric says "He

could laugh his head off- if I knew it really was all a hoax", to the

end. My play will be set in the modern day; I have decided to do this

as the themes of Capitalist and Labour, inequality and power of the

wealthy are still hugely relevant today. Furthermore in doing so the

play will attract a greater audience, appealing to the younger

generation. I believe if I kept the play set in 1912 the audience

would feel that it was massively outdated and many people would soon

become disinterested, and consequently neglect the message of the

play.

The play will be set in a beautiful mansion suggesting the powerful

status of the Birling's. Ivy will be growing on the front of the

house, insinuating that the Birling's have secluded themselves from

the outside world. The scene is set in a lavish front room inside the

house. The room is painted crimson conno...

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... at breaking point when he says to his mother, "You

killed her… your own grandchild- you killed them both- damn you..."

Also the text says that he almost threateningly says to his mother,

"you don't understand anything'. Therefore I don't think it is

inconceivable that Eric would do this. Eric shoots himself because he

realises what an awful thing he has done and knows he could not live

on having done such a thing. The music Love theme from Romeo and

Juliet (kissing you) by Des'ree is playing and the lighting is dark.

This is to create a truly moving atmosphere, and it should be

incredibly sad. Then the curtain drops as you hear Sheila and Mr.

Birling scream.

I don't think this version would lose the meaning of the play. It

would still show all the key themes, as well dramatizing the play for

a modern audience.