The Wolverhampton Grand this week welcomes to the stage The National Theatre’s epic production of JB Priestley's seminal play, An Inspector Calls. The play has been a firm fixture on Drama and English syllabuses for many years, and with good reason. This touring production wrings every ounce of drama from the story, with the aid of its groundbreaking set, tension building music, and spooky, impactful atmosphere.

The play begins in seemingly happy circumstances - the celebration of an engagement in the wealthy Birling family's home. Mr and Mrs Birling (played by Jeffrey Harmer and Jackie Morrison respectively) celebrate their daughter Sheila’s (Leona Allen) impending marriage to Gerald Croft (Tom Chapman). Sheila's brother Eric (George Rowlands) makes use of the happy occasion to raise a few glasses in their honour.

It all goes downhill from here for the Birlings, with the appearance of Inspector Goole, played by Tim Treloar, who interrupts the festivities to reveal that a young woman, apparently unknown to any of the party, has taken her own life. The inspector pulls at the threads of truth to discover how the unfortunate woman's life intersected with those of the Birling family.

The showpiece of this production is the impressive set, which consists of a towering and foreboding house in the centre of the stage. The house seems out of proportion - the Birlings’ dinner party takes place claustrophobically inside, and there are a few funny moments as members of the family crouch to gain access, or poke their heads from the upper windows. As Inspector Goole draws the family (and their dirty laundry) out into the open, the house itself is laid bare. Surely dozens of GCSE essays have been written on the subject already - but the effect is definitely striking.

It's clear why the play has endured since it was first performed in 1945, as the tension builds steadily, more secrets are uncovered - and the overall message bears repeating, even today. This production benefits from an excellent cast, who are clearly revelling in the drama - Leona Allen gets her fair share of sweeping, melodramatic moments, and Jackie Morrison as Mrs Birling is the picture of poised snobbery, in the face of the Inspector’s grilling. Treloar’s Inspector himself is a multifaceted character, balancing the grimness of his task with occasional light-hearted moments.

The play runs at an hour and 50 minutes, without an interval. Reducing a theatre show down to the length of a film sometimes misses the mark, but on this occasion it works. The plot and pace is gripping enough that two hours flies by - the proof is in the production’s continuing commercial success.  From the occasional gasps in the (packed) auditorium, this is still a play that enthralls and surprises - and you might need to move quickly if you want a ticket.

Five Stars

An Inspector Calls was reviewed on Tuesday 4 March by Jessica Clixby at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, where it shows until Saturday 8 March. The production tours to Birmingham's Alexandra Theatre from Tuesday 6 until Saturday 10 May.