A landmark revival of JB Priestley's seminal work An Inspector Calls has opened at London's Donmar Warehouse, revealing the play's startling relevance to contemporary Britain's social and economic landscape.
A Production That Defies Time
Stephen Daldry's celebrated production, first staged over three decades ago, returns with renewed urgency. The timing couldn't be more poignant as the nation grapples with a severe cost of living crisis and widening social divides.
The play follows the wealthy Birling family, whose comfortable existence is shattered when Inspector Goole arrives to investigate the death of a young working-class woman. What unfolds is a devastating examination of responsibility, privilege, and collective guilt.
Priestley's Prescient Vision
Written in 1945 but set in 1912, Priestley's work has always served as a powerful critique of capitalist excess and social indifference. The current production highlights how little has fundamentally changed in Britain's class structure and attitudes toward poverty.
The play's central message—that we are all responsible for one another in society—feels particularly resonant in an era of food banks, housing insecurity, and corporate profiteering.
More Than Just Entertainment
This isn't merely another theatrical revival. The production serves as a stark reminder that Priestley's socialist principles remain urgently relevant. The character of Arthur Birling, with his boasts about avoiding labour troubles and his dismissal of community responsibility, could easily be a contemporary CEO or politician.
The play's famous climax, where the Inspector delivers his final warning about "fire and blood and anguish" if society fails to learn collective responsibility, lands with chilling force in today's uncertain climate.
Why This Production Matters Now
Several factors make this staging particularly significant:
- Economic parallels: The gap between wealthy families like the Birlings and struggling workers remains as wide as ever
- Political resonance: Questions of social responsibility versus individual wealth continue to dominate political discourse
- Cultural moment: Audiences are increasingly receptive to works that challenge systemic inequality
As one theatre critic noted, watching this production in 2025 feels less like historical drama and more like pressing social commentary.
A Testament to Enduring Art
The fact that Daldry's production continues to captivate audiences after 30 years speaks volumes about both the quality of the staging and the timeless nature of Priestley's writing. It demonstrates how great art can transcend its original context to speak to successive generations.
An Inspector Calls at the Donmar Warehouse isn't just a night at the theatre—it's a compelling invitation to examine our own society and our place within it.
