History Theatre / AnInspectorCalls

* {{Foreshadowing}}: The play is chock full of it. It's a rare example of a [[UsefulNotes/SchoolStudyMedia set text]] that actually stands up to being repeatedly re-read.

''An Inspector Calls'' is a British play by Creator/JBPriestley that was first performed in 1945. It's often called one of Priestley's best works – if not, ''the'' best play he's made – possibly because it comments on (as well as references) social issues that are still alive in Britain today. Maybe that's why it's a [[UsefulNotes/SchoolStudyMedia set text]] in many [[UsefulNotes/BritishEducationSystem schools in Britain]] – usually for the UsefulNotes/{{GCSEs}} in England and Wales - so expect a large dose of EveryoneIsJesusInPurgatory.

Set in the year 1912, the play follows the story of a middle-class family called the Birlings, who are celebrating the engagement of daughter Sheila to a much-older upper-class Gerald Croft, secretly hoping that the marriage will make them even richer. The party is then interrupted by a man identifying himself as Inspector Goole, a local police detective who is investigating the suicide of a young working-class woman named Eva Smith. Each of the guests at the dinner-table are questioned, despite some protests of annoyance, but the family soon find out that they all have had dealings with the woman, and learn that there's more to their seemingly-perfect world than they previously believed.

It was adapted into a film in 1954 directed by Creator/GuyHamilton and starring Creator/AlastairSim as Inspector Goole. Creator/TheBBC adapted it in 2015 starring Creator/DavidThewlis, with Creator/MirandaRichardson as Sybill Birling.

* AdaptationalNameChange: The film version changes the inspector's name from Goole to Poole.

* TheUnfairSex: Sort of; [[spoiler: everyone acknowledges that Gerald's affair with Eva was wrong, but it's also acknowledged that he's not the only one to blame.]]

* ObliviouslyEvil: Sheila is the only one who knew at the time she was hurting Eva (and on some level doing it on purpose)--she was just too weak-willed in that moment to stop herself. The Birling parents and Gerard are various levels of EntitledBastard, so used to being socially privileged they didn't think to consider they weren't in the right or what harm an idle choice could do; in Eric's case, although his wealth also played a role in insulating him from consequences, his wrongs against Eva/Daisy stem from his immaturity and drinking problem. However, the play makes the case that being this oblivious to one's capacity for harm is itself a type of sin.

* ReasonableAuthorityFigure: The Inspector.

* SummationGathering

* YouJustToldMe: [[spoiler: The family eventually "realize" that the Inspector never presented any evidence that they were involved with Eva Smith's suicide, and had simply been stringing them along with just enough information to make them stupidly incriminate themselves. This convinces everyone involved that they're off the hook, as even if he DID go to the actual police he'd have no proof of their activities beyond hearsay. Cue the WhamLine...]]

Set in the year 1912, the play follows the story of a middle-class family called the Birlings, who are celebrating the engagement of daughter Sheila to a much-older upper-class Gerald Croft, secretly hoping that the marriage will make them even richer. The party is then interrupted by a man identifying himself as Inspector Goole, a local police detective who is investigating the suicide of a young working-class woman named Eva Smith. Each of the guests at the dinner-table are questioned, despite some protests of annoyance, but the family soon find out that they all have had dealings with the woman, and learn that there’s more to their seemingly-perfect world than they previously believed.

''An Inspector Calls'' is a British play by Creator/JBPriestley that was first performed in 1945. It’s often called one of Priestley’s best works – if not, ''the'' best play he’s made – possibly because it comments on (as well as references) social issues that are still alive in Britain today. Maybe that’s why it’s a [[SchoolStudyMedia set text]] in many [[UsefulNotes/BritishEducationSystem schools in Britain]] – usually for the UsefulNotes/{{GCSEs}} in England and Wales - so expect a large dose of EveryoneIsJesusInPurgatory.

* {{Foreshadowing}}: The play is chock full of it. It's a rare example of a [[SchoolStudyMedia set text]] that actually stands up to being repeatedly re-read.

* SpotOfTea: In the Daldry production, which (since 1992) is the one generally staged, the British Inspector is seen interacting silently with various characters outside of the family. This includes politely accepting a cup of tea off Edna. In the original play he emphatically refuses Birling's offer of a drink since he is "on duty".

* SpotOfTea: In the Daldry production, which (since 1992) is the one generally staged, the Inspector is seen interacting silently with various characters outside of the family. This includes politely accepting a cup of tea off Edna. In the original play he emphatically refuses Birling's offer of a drink since he is "on duty".