Evening Telegraph 1966

AN INSPECTOR CALLS

"An Inspector Calls," J. B. Priestley's play on human weaknesses, was performed by members of Rushden Dramatic Society on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, at the Rushden Secondary School for Boys.

The play is produced by Allen Gould and those tak­ing part are John Booth, (Arthur Birling), Robert King (Gerald Croft), Virginia Pope (Sheila Birling), Marian Knott (Sybil Birling), Sandra Green (Edna), John Denton (Eric Birling), and Cyril Smith (Inspector Goole).

Stage managers were Len Gomm and Ron Burnett, lighting and stage staff, Alan Nichols, properties Bridget Hickey, call boy, Judith Childs, make up Angela Laughton, and prompter, Constance Hodson.

A GLIMPSE OF HUMAN NATURE

Rushden Dramatic Society members last night presented a drama in the true sense of the word when they performed J. B. Priestley's popular "An Inspector Calls'" at Rushden Secondary School for Boys.

The play, produced by Allen Goulsbra, certainly deserved a larger audience than it attracted, and members are hoping for full houses when they repeat the performance to­night and tomorrow night.

The players were all competent in their interpretation of Priestley's glimpse into human nature and the weaknesses of a small group of people who are confronted with their wrongdoings.

Full use was made of the author's play on words and innuendo, and it was Cyril Smith as the symbolic Inspector Goole who brought to life the dominant supernatural theme.

CONVINCING

John Booth as industrialist Arthur Birling, presented the self-centred egocentric convincingly as did Marian Knott as his vain and self-opinionated wife.

The more human, though equally wring, roles of their selfish but repentant daughter and son were played by Virginia Pope and John Denton.

Robert King as Gerald Croft, the daughter's fiancé, portrayed an aspect of human guilt convincingly. The part of Edna, the maid, was taken by Sandra Green.

Not one of the cast made the mistake of trying to assume a North Country accent, although the play was set in a northern industrial city.

CU