Our Year 11 students enjoyed an explosive performance of ‘An Inspector Calls’ at the Alexandra Theatre in Birmingham.
Director Stephen Daldry’s production is on tour from London’s National Theatre, and we were fortunate enough to be able to take the students for a performance masterclass, just a few weeks away from their GCSE English Literature examination.
Seeing the play performed live on stage gave the students a visual experience of the text, its characters and themes, one which they will (hopefully!) remember for their exams, and well into the future.
Priestley’s critique of social responsibility still resonates today, and Tim Treloar, as the Inspector, gave a powerful performance, reminding the audience that: ‘We don’t live alone. We are members of one body. We are responsible for each other. And I tell you that the time will soon come when, if men will not learn that lesson, then they will be taught it in fire and blood and anguish.’ (Key quotation, Year 11!)
Simon Daniels, Head of English, said, “We were very pleased to be able to take so many students to experience a live performance of the play, right before their exams. They were all a credit to themselves and the school, and I hope the experience will support them in their final revision push before the exam.”
