Inspector calls Essay When Mrs. Birling enters the act, multitudes of previously unknown truths have already been disclosed. Mrs. Birling is one of the last members of the family to be ‘interrogated’ by the mysterious Inspector. From her entrance to the end of the act, we see a rainbow of feelings, starting in the bright cheerful colours of the emotional spectrum and ending in the dark, murky, unhappy ones.As Mrs. Birling enters, she is immediately out of place. Whilst the audience and rest of the cast are silent and thoughtful, Mrs. Birling enters and is cheerful, arrogant, and blissfully ignorant as is shown in her second speech in the act."I'm Mrs Birling, y'know. Myhusband has just explained why you're here, andwhile we'll be glad to tell you anyhting you wantto know, i don't think we can help you much."To show her arrogance she is encircled in a warm colour such as red, but it is important to blend this colour in with the rest of the stage as otherwise she would look like an alien. The rest of the stage is bathed in a cool murky blue; I believe that this will show as depressing and symbolise that the characters have been beaten by the Inspector. To involve the audience, a small blue light could slowly move randomly over the rest of the auditorium.As Mrs. Birling begins to become less sure of herself and her position the blue and
red lights must fade slowly into neutrality. However, the slumped position of the rest of the cast must not change, as this would make the audience believe that they were no longer troubled about their involvement in the death of Eva Smith. At every victory of the Inspector, a cymbal will be brushed hard with a wire brush. I think that during the whole play, it will not be necessary to use too many sound effects, bar the times when a shock is required. I believe this should happen, as silence is one of the greatest tension builders available.The actors, ...
This is a preview of the whole essay
red lights must fade slowly into neutrality. However, the slumped position of the rest of the cast must not change, as this would make the audience believe that they were no longer troubled about their involvement in the death of Eva Smith. At every victory of the Inspector, a cymbal will be brushed hard with a wire brush. I think that during the whole play, it will not be necessary to use too many sound effects, bar the times when a shock is required. I believe this should happen, as silence is one of the greatest tension builders available.The actors, apart from Mrs. Birling, must not change from the slumped position throughout the whole scene. Although, when one is talking it will be necessary for the actor to animate the words with hand movements and a slight movement towards the Inspector, or whomever it is to which they are talking.When Mrs. Birling enters the scene, she must stay standing upright, proud and must keep her facial appearance from staying in a permanently miserable expression. Instead, she must smile occasionally and frown angrily the rest. As soon as the Inspector says the paragraph beginning with the line “At the end of January,” Mrs. Birling must realise that the Inspector has ‘something on her’. Her whole manner must change from that of the busy, bustly and arrogant housewife to a suspicious and paranoid, haggard old woman. She can show this by not smiling any more and looking down towards the floor. Instead of looking at the whole audience, she must look down towards the lower seats. However, it is important that the whole audience sees her facial expression, so when she is trying to explain herself against a point presented against her by the Inspector, she must look upwards towards the top of the theatre. This is also, where she must present her defence to the attacker.When the inspector starts to confront Gerald Croft about his relationship with Eva Smith, Gerald must also act defensively. He must stand up from the line "Where did you get the idea that I did know her?" and begin to pace at a moderate speed across the front of the stage. When the Inspector hits him with accusations or negative suggestions, there need not be any sound effects. This is merely because overuse of the ‘shock treatment’ would result in it losing all gravity and simply becoming corny. Gerald, when answering questions will be highlighted in his own white spotlight. This is to define him from the rest of the actors, as I believe that he plays the second most important part in the whole play.The character I believe to be the most important in the whole play, is the Inspector. Without the Inspector, there would be no play. He acts as a catalyst, he causes the others to realise what they have done. However, he is quite a passive player. At only a few points does he directly interrupt the play, and then it is only to halt an argument, which is in danger of getting personally offensive and downright bitching. The Inspector, throughout the whole play must have his own spotlight. I think that this will separate him from the rest of the scene. During the play, the Inspector must keep his face from view of the audience. This will be achieved not by turning away from them but by wearing a wide rimmed hat and a trench coat with the collar up. The spotlight, being directly above his head should cast a shadow over his face. This will add tension during the whole play, as the audience will undoubtedly believe that at the end of the play the Inspector will reveal himself. During the piece, the Inspector must keep towards the edge of the stage so as not to intrude upon the actor’s movements. However, at the end of the piece when the Inspector holds up his hand to signal a halt to the discussion, he must move centre stage and face the audience. Whilst he is doing this, the other actors must look at him in wonder, maybe even fear and as soon as Eric appears at the door, they must freeze as the curtain drops quickly.Mr Birling does not play a very large part in the scene. However, it is often that he comes in with a short comment. As he plays the lesser part in the piece, he will be in the background, but not too far to the back, as he would then seem diminutive. A role, for which the character of Mr Birling, is not terribly fitting. As he does not speak, all that much he will not need to move form his seat at the dining table. This means that he can have a drink in his hand and be taking frequent sips. This would give him something to do with his hands so as not to force him to gesticulate for no apparent reason.Sheila is another non-key player in the piece. However, towards the end of the scene it becomes obvious to the audience that she is suspicious of the Inspector. She is the first character to accept that what she did was wrong. After this there seems to be some kind of bond or understanding between her and the Inspector. I believe that this is because she knows what will happen to the rest of them. As a nation conquered by another, greater nation, she moves to the conqueror (the Inspector) for defence. This could be shown by Sheila moving towards the Inspector, maybe to the point where she is partially included in his spotlight. This should make the audience realise that there is an understanding between them. At the end of the scene, instead of staring at the Inspector, Sheila should look at the audience in the same manner as he does. This will signify that she is no longer awestruck as to his capabilities but knows that his way is the only way forward.As a whole, the piece is a miserable one. When Mrs. Birling enters, her mood is above that of the others. However, the Inspector drags Mrs. Birling's spirit down to the same level as the rest of the players, if not even lower.
