Playreaders Theater
An Inspector Calls
Wed–Thu, Nov 4–5, 7pm
St Paul’s Church
Cardo 6
20 pesos

An Inspector Calls in San Miguel
By Fran Rowe Robbins

For an evening of spine-chilling suspense, join Playreaders of San Miguel this week. Actually, you will be able to catch two performances of JB Priestley’s An Inspector Calls at St Paul’s Parish Hall.

An Inspector Calls opens on a spring evening in 1912 in Brumley, North Midlands, England. Arthur Birling, a prosperous manufacturer, and his wife, Sybil, are celebrating the engagement of their daughter, Sheila, to Gerald Croft, whose family is both titled and wealthy. The Birlings’ son, Eric, is toasting the event with the rest of the family. Edna, the Birlings’ maid, announces the unexpected arrival of an “Inspector Goole.”

Who is “Inspector Goole” and why does he interrupt their joyous celebratory event with the news of the suicide of a young woman? Who is this poor young woman? She is neither a friend nor a relative of any of the celebrants, so why does Goole insist on interrogating everyone? 

JB Priestley’s An Inspector Calls opened to rave reviews in England in 1946. Its cast included stellar luminaries like Margaret Leighton, Alec Guinness and Sir Ralph Richardson. It has played all over the world and is considered a classic in the twentieth century theatrical repertory in Great Britain. It’s taught in universities in England, Scotland and Wales. It has played in England and the States for the last 17 years and is currently enjoying a revival in London directed by the brilliant Stephen Daldry.

Readers of the San Miguel production include Norman Araiza as Arthur Birling, Frank Simons as Inspector Goole, Clara Dunham as Shelia Birling, Richard Keene as Gerald Croft, Kokila Byrne as Sybil Birling, Michael McCarter as Eric Birling and Jean Yeager as Edna. Dic Simandl handles lights and sound, and Fran Rowe Robbins directs.

The doors open at 7pm and the show will start at 7:30pm. A donation of 20 pesos is gratefully accepted.