An inspector calls is a renowned play which is written by English dramatist J.B. Pristley. It was first performed in Soviet Union in the year 1945 and 1946 in the United Kingdom. The play is set in the year 1912. It is Pristley’s best known works and regarded as one of the classics of mid century in English theatre. The play is a 20th three- act thriller drama taking place in a single night in 1912, revolving around an inspector,a financially flourished, middle class, British family and a young girl who committed suicide.The play is studied in many schools in the UK as one of the prescribed texts for the English Literature GCSE examination.

Some of the lesser known facts about this play are given below-

 1. John Boynton Priestley was born in Yorkshire in 1894. He knew early on that he wanted to become a writer, but decided against going to university as he thought he would get a better feel for the world around him away from academia. Instead, he became a junior clerk with a local wool firm at the age of 16.

2.Pristley immediately joined the British army after the First World War broke. During the war, he was severely wounded and affected by gas attack and was therefore had to withdrawn from active services. He continued to serve in British army as a part of entertainment’s section. After the war, he went to Cambridge to complete his studies and later on worked as a theatre critic.

3.The First World War is used in the ‘inspector calls’ to convey message that the mankind needs to be change. Mr. Birling’s comments make him look foolish in front of the audience (because of dramatic irony). The reference to the war reminded audience to realise the loss, which happens when people become megalomaniacs and become hungry for power, rather than caring for each other.

4.Because Pristley made a play which was set in the past, he made use of dramaticirony- the audience knows what happens after the events in the play but obviously the characters don’t. This helped him to actually make the audience ‘realise’ what’s wrong with the society.

5.In this play, Mr. Birling represents a capitalistsociety- an economic system based on private ownership of an industry. It often leads to a society where a few who have power and money, exploit many who are in need.

6.Priestley wrote a play, which actually was a mirror to 1912s i.e., a British society which was very Victorian in its approch. Thecountry was still benefiting from technology and had very rigid ‘class system’ and politics at that time was very conservative. He drew much reproval for the same.

7.By the time, Priestley wrote the play (in 1945), after the two World Wars, British society has changed drastically. The class system became less rigid, women gave vote and politics became less conservative.

8.The inspector Mr. Goole was a character which was authorotative. He dealt with the members firmly and was seen several times ‘massively taking charge as disputes erupt between them’.

9.Even though the girl who committed suicide wasn’t seen on the stage but, Priestley gave an idea for viewers to visualize how would have Eva Smith been. She was described as very pretty, big, dark eyed girl with soft brown hair. Her parents were dead. By the act three, it was being doubted it Eva Smith really existed.

10.The play’s success was revived in last few years by English director Stephen Daldry for the National Theatre in 1992, and a tour of the UK in 2011–2012. The play got awarded too- 1993- Laurence Olivier Award for Best  Revival 1994- Drama Desk Award for Best  Revival of a Play 1994- Tony Award for Best Revival of a Play.