Mystery and Morality: Reviewing ‘An Inspector Calls’ at HMT in Aberdeen

As I made my way to His Majesty's Theatre in Aberdeen, listening to the radio broadcast about the UK government’s deeper spending cuts, it felt all too fitting that I was there to finally see ‘An Inspector Calls’ - a play that examines the consequences of neglecting social responsibility.

A busload of students crossed the road and entered the building before me, and truth be told, I was nervous that the large group of teenagers would whisper distractions through the rows of seats. However, by the end of the performance, I couldn’t have been happier that such a politically relevant play was viewed by so many impressionable youngsters.

From the moment the curtain rose, there was a strong sense of atmosphere as an air raid siren echoed through the theatre and the sight of rain lashed against a moody, night-lit background. We see children playing in the streets outside the residence of the Birling family, who are lapping it up inside their brightly lit home - a house on stilts, literally suspended above the drama. This set, created by designer Ian MacNeil, brilliantly emphasises the divide between the upper and lower classes.

Suddenly, emerging from the stalls, lead actor Tim Treloar takes the stage as Inspector Goole. This mysterious figure has arrived to investigate the suicide of Eva Smith, a young woman with ties to each member of the Birling family.

As the 80-year-old play, written by J.B. Priestley and reimagined by director Stephen Daldry, nears its conclusion, we are left grappling with lingering questions about the Inspector’s true identity and purpose.

However, as the Inspector delivers one final poignant speech, holding the hand of one of the children we’ve seen throughout the play, his words resonate far beyond the characters on stage.

There are “millions and millions and millions of Eva Smiths and John Smiths” in the world who need empathy and support. Those in more fortunate situations have the power to offer help, and perhaps this is the message that Priestley’s play seeks to convey to the younger generation: they must break free from the bourgeoisie's blinkered capitalist outlook which views life as a dog-eat-dog world. Instead, we are encouraged to embrace the idea that the proletariat should be 'lended a hand'. 

As I left the theatre, I couldn't help but reflect on how the performance, combined with the harsh realities of today’s headlines, served as a stark reminder of the need for compassion and accountability in both our personal lives and public policies.

The cast delivered stellar performances, supported by a spectacular set and splendid stagecraft full of surprises, making this production one that should not be missed.

© [Skye McCord] [2025]. All rights reserved.