The Clarkston Village Players presents ‘An Inspector Calls,? written by J. B. Priestley and set in 1910 England.
‘I think it’s a unique type of mystery than most mysteries we’ve done,? said Mel Case, stage manager. ‘This one is written in the ?40s and so you’re really looking at an older style of writing, there just seems to be a certain texture to it. This has one of the great all-time twists.?
It’s a story of a lower-class woman named Eva Smith who ends up committing suicide after visiting the Birling family, a very rich upper-class family. However when Inspector Goole, played by Mark Findora, shows up, he uncovers how each family member played a role in the young woman’s death. It has a surprise ending, which audience members won’t want to miss.
Though the play opened in London in 1941 with a story set in 1910, Director Al Bartlett said many of the characters are reflective of people in today’s society.
‘I refer to things like the family being somewhat dysfunctional, definitely the attitude toward the employees, toward people that are a different class structure, and some of the ultra wealthy that you see today,? he said. ‘I think it also brings up the question ‘what degree of responsibility do we have for the people around us?? I think that’s definitely a contemporary theme as well.?
This is also the first play in which Bartlett has directed and has the lead role, playing Mr. Birling. He has been acting since 1967. He and his wife, Gerry, are lifetime members of CVP.
The highlight of the play for Bartlett is when the family comes to the realization that they have been hoaxed.
‘Or thinks they have been,? he said.
‘That’s when it breaks the moral of the play down,? said Jim Murray, who plays Mr. Birling’s son, Eric.
For Shaun Pittman, the highlight is ‘the character interaction.? Pittman plays Gerold Croft, a rival businessman to Mr. Birling and engaged to Birling’s daughter Sheila, played by Pittman’s wife Jenna.
Wendy Wagner, who plays the role of Mrs. Birling said the play was extremely hard to do because the language is written in Old British English.
‘It’s not like contemporary English at all,? she said. ‘If we were doing a play that was a contemporary British dialect it would be a lot easier to deliver, but it’s the construction of the sentences make it hard.?
Other staff members include Edna the maid played by Johanna Bell, and Paula Todd was assistant director and producer.
‘I am very appreciative of all the talent of the cast and the crew,? said Bartlett. ‘We’ve had a very talented group of people help on this play.?
‘An Inspector Calls? will be performed Nov. 7-8, 14-16, and 20-22 at Depot Theater, 4861 White Lake Road. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. on Thursdays 8 p.m., on Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 p.m. on Sundays.
For ticket information call 248-625-8811 or visit www.clarkstonvillageplayers.org.