The stage directions describe the inspector but also create the “impression of massiveness, solidity and purposefulness” needed to achieve the inspector’s personality. One way this is achieved is in the inspector’s entrance when the lighting is “pink and intimate” until the inspector arrives and then changes to be “brighter and harder” emphasising the tension made by the inspector’s “massiveness”. Also the way he is described shows that Goole remains calm and unruffled and “speaks with authority”. The way he is described shows his importance.
Another thing is that the inspector stresses he is in a hurry “I haven’t much time”. Does this mean he knows the real inspector is coming or is it because he is just a ghost? The inspector also represents the voice of priestly, God and all of our consciences. This presents that stage directions establish characters.
The inspector arrives when Birling is giving his speech on “community and all that nonsense”. The timing of the bell ringing and the inspector coming in emphasise Goole’s character of authority. In addition the inspector comes in, in the middle of the speech representing a metaphorical disagreement to Birling’s point of view. Moreover the inspector talks in a monotone, is blunt and harsh. He is also disgusted and enraged by how badly Eva Smith has been treated by all of the family for their selfish reasons. He warns “Public men, Mr Burling, have responsibilities as well as privileges”
Timing is central to the play. When the inspector says that Eva Smith changed her name to Daisy Renton, Gerald’s reaction “what?” gives him away as he cuts the inspectors speech building tension in the audience. The stage directions say “startled” here and that would show Gerald’s involvement in the scene creating extra tension. Also Gerald saying “what?” also startles the audience having a ‘mimic’ effect. This effect is created by the actions in stage directions of that character and is a typical example of the role of stage directions and timing in the play. Furthermore timing is used to delay to add more tension and leave the audience on cliff hangers. For example Act 1 ending when the audience finds out Gerald is involved too. Not to mention when the audience has to wait longer while “he goes across to the Tantalus on the sideboard for a whisky”. Likewise his conversation with Sheila creates more tension as they want to know the whole story.
There are only three acts in the play. They are held there to create tension in the audience and create cliff hangers. They are timed to move action on swiftly and delay action to have a sufficient impact on the audience by creating tension and leaving cliff hangers. For example Act 1 ending even though Act 2 starts with the same scene. This confirms that timing is central to the play.
When an act end it is timed to leave cliff hanger and keep the audience interested. Act one ends by inspector saying “well” while “he looks searchingly at them”. Also act two ends as Eric returns and everyone wants to learn what he has to say. Both these audience wait endings reveal a desire to see the next stage of the play. “They wait, looking for towards the door” and “he meets their inquiring stares”. This applies to both the characters in the play and the audience too. From this, we can note that timing an act ending is necessary to keep the audience hooked. Again corroborating that timing is central and integral in this play.
Stage directions of actors reflect audience’s feeling as well as giving an insight into the characters role in the play. The reader knows this because when the inspector mentions the name “Daisy Renton” the stage direction says “startled” for Gerald. Due to Gerald’s reaction the audience is also startled. Also when Eric returns “he meets their inquiring stares which also reflects the audience’s feelings as the audience also want to know. What’s more the stage directions give us an insight at the characters role. For example at the beginning of Act 1 we are told Birling is “rather provincial in his speech”. Moreover the reader is given an insight into the inspector’s character when it is written in the stage directions “massively taking charge” and “calmly”. More examples of this are Mrs Birling “smiling, social”, Mr Birling “angrily” and Sheila “eagerly”. This provides evidence that stage directions are vital to the play.
The end of the play is all about timing and stage directions too. Their role is very vital in the play. The ellipses on the phone make the audience wait, increasing the tension. Also when Birling “produces a huge sigh of relief” the audience also produces a huge sense of relief but there is a false sense of security too. That is because Sheila is still “tensely” and “passionately” thinking about the issues raised. In addition to this when the “telephone rang sharply” at the end and a real inspector was coming to inspect, a mockery was made of Gerald and Mr and Mrs Birling’s elaborate self-congratulation. Also Goole’s name attracts attention increasing the tension and keeping the audience wanting more.
In conclusion timing and stage directions are central to and play however in this play they are crucial as they cause the most integral impacts on the audience. This works well as the genre of this play is a murder mystery. Stage directions emphasise emotions, thoughts and personality and help the audience understand the mystery whereas timing causes the audience to wait to build up tension. They both together tell the audience far more than speech. Additionally correct timing can provide time for the audience to try and predict what’s upcoming and get a better sense of the plot. The best examples of this are “there is a moment of complete silence” after the phone rings; “they stare guiltily and dumbfounded”. Another example is “he puts the telephone down slowly and looks in a panic stricken fashion at the others”. This proves to the reader how timing and stage direction are central to the play and how integral their role is.