Majestic Theater, West Springfield, MA
through February 14, 2016
by Shera Cohen
From the title, the opening scene, the background music, and
the inspector’s entrance, one might expect a Columbo-ish mystery-comedy in “An
Inspector Calls.” Mystery, yes. Comedy, no.
The lush trappings of the British Birling home set the tone
of what will quickly be realized as a political socioeconomic comment on
pre-WWI disparity. Five exquisitely dressed well-spoken family members
celebrate an engagement announcement. Their world is clean, rich, proper, and
orderly. Surprise! The uninvited Inspector Goole arrives, informing all of the
recent suicide of a young impoverished woman. This becomes messy business which
grossly interrupts everyone’s life as the inspector relentlessly forces each
character to deal with secrets, guilt, consequences, responsibilities, and
morals.
Photo by Lee Chambers |
Director Zoya Kachadurian has a difficult task in moving her
cast in any meaningful ways around a single set. In other words, very little
physicality is needed, making the play seemingly wordier than it already is.
But the director must take what is given by the playwright. However, revving up
the pace might have been possible in some sections.
Is it possible for Set Designer Greg Trochlil create bad
work? Never, or at least not so far. His 1912 dining room/living room with its
three levels is exquisite without being gauche.
There is another character named Eva Smith. Although never
onstage, she is very much present at the center of the play’s purpose as the antithesis
of what the other characters do not see and the audience does see.
A “warning” about the theatre – it’s cold. Almost half of
the audience wrapped their coats around them. Yes, it is January, but the
Majestic is pretty much always cold. Just wear something warm.