Inspectors Arrival
This takes place in the dinning-room of a fairly large suburban house, belonging to a prosperous manufacturer. It has good solid furniture of the period. The general effect is a substantial and heavily comfortable. But not cosy and homelike. The use of lighting in this scene is used very well in the opening for example was dark with a spot shinning on the inspector casting his shadow upon the Birling house hold possible suggesting to the audience that he is dominant and slightly mysterious possibly it was used to suggest him having a huge shadow is some what like a giant which is considered mystical. Before the inspector enters the lighting cold and dark giving the impression that we are located in a rural area where there are no other houses near as we look at the Birlings house it is as if it is in the distance it gives of a rosy glow I kind of aura as such, it really seems to brings out the party mood. The Sound in this scene is that of the Birlings and Gerald laughing and generally enjoying themselves, the music quite mellow while the party is going on indicating a comfortable enjoyable atmosphere. But when the inspector comes on looking enigmatically underneath the lamp post there are more drum beats and heavy faster music the lighting at this stage is also overpowering suggesting that something big is about to happen (this being the catalyst) but it also dramatizes the inspector entrance showing he is someone of importance, the costume at this point is pretty simple as the Mr Birling, Gerald and Eric and in formal dress e.g. dinner jackets dickey bow’s etc. Shelia is in long white Edwardian ensemble that has a bustle on the back. Her, mother Sybil has long red and black dress on it also had a bustle, and there beads attached at the shoulders. These garments are a symbolic statement of there wealth, Sybil’s seems to have more of a purpose as it could be taken as a metaphor for her attitude. Red is quite an outlandish 3
the inspectors face suggesting that he is a little unknown or mysterious
Sheila’s Confession
Sheila is brought out of the comfort of her own home and she is brought from those close to her, this makes her more insecure making it easier to acquire the truth from her, now she is on the dark, dirty, wet street now she is in a very uncomfortable environment and an alien environment to her she has no support now. If the inspector did not exclude her she might not have confessed
Sheila’s is dressed in an elegant long white dress she also has a diamond necklace on her hair is long and curly her appearance signifying her sophistication and taste of beautiful garments which leads on to the confession. Her facial expression when she was called from her abode was as if she had nothing to worry about but as soon as the inspector told her that she was a part of Eva’s demise her expression scared, upset all this easily told from her expression she was also very emotional at this point. She runs off at this point and falls in mud making her physically dirty symbolizing what she did to Eva was dirty her face pale with her brown hair still beautifully crafted
The Music in this scene changes at different points for example when the inspector shows Sheila the picture of Eva Smith There is a loud deep sound and a thunderous drum beat this music continued until Sheila begins to speak to the audience. The lighting in this scene is a white wash at the start, showing she is pure. But when she falls in the mud the lighting changes to a deep red possibly signifying she is not as pure as she seems. Shelia’s movements in this scene are small and slow. Because she is nervous she wranglers her hands and paces back and forth to show this.
The Closing Scene
The music in this scene is full of high notes being played on the violins there was also lots of crashing high pianos keys being hit hard then lightly possibly to bring the play to a climax and it possibly the contrast between the piano notes is to show the contrast of how much the characters has changed since the beginning of the play. The lighting shows the sun rising flooded in an orange again brings the play to a climax. The movement in this scene is rather important as Sheila’s undressing shows that she has learnt something and wants to get rid of her old ways.
The inspector gives a very long analysis of the Birlings actions as he leaves. He talks about how we are members of one body and should take care of each other. I feel this speech is all what Priestley is trying to say in this one speech given by the inspector, the conscience of the play. He says that if this lesson is not learned then they will be taught it "in fire and blood and anguish". This was said excellently in the production. He had a stern look on his face that made my hairs stand on end, as it was so harsh yet meaningful. It showed exactly what Priestley wanted, to show the audience and the Birlings that if they don’t take notice now then the consequences will get worse, as in war. War with blood, fire and anguish. Like the one Priestley served in himself. Perhaps this play was J. B. Priestley’s feelings of World War I, an emotion unleashed in his writing.
Over all the production was fairly well done. I don’t think Priestley would have turned in his grave, yet I don’t think he would have given it a standing ovation. His views and criticisms did come through in the production. The play was a moralistic mystery that made the audience think. It gives you time to change your actions towards others. That is before an Inspector calls on you, to teach you in 'blood and fire and in anguish.
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