![\"David](\"https:\/\/itsnotaboutme.tv\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/AIC-David-Hunt-Stafford-Mouchette-van-Helsdingen-e1763521614529.jpeg\")
<\/a>David Hunt Stafford and Mouchette van Helsdingen. Photo by Gabriel Tejeda-Benitez, as is the eone above.<\/p><\/div>\n
An Inspector Calls<\/em> is basically a psychological whodunit. It all takes place over one evening in 1912, during a celebration in the living room of an upper-crust British family when\u2014guess what?\u2014an inspector calls! But it\u2019s as relevant today as it was when written\u2026in 1945! (More on that in a bit. But, the writing and production of the original<\/em> play itself is a fascinating study, so I suggest that, when you finish reading this<\/em> review, and seeing the show at Theatre 40, you research it a bit.)<\/p>\n You do not need to know more than that set-up going in. But I do<\/em> have to say that the production features another excellent set by Jeff G. Rack, spot-on costumes by Michael Mullen, and a really good cast\u2014all the actors are perfect in their roles, even the two silent ones. The other sextet affects good English accents, as well, the lack of which in other shows often makes me crazy.<\/p>\n Isaac W. Jay and Katyana Rocker-Cook. Photo by Gabriel Tejeda-Benitez.<\/p><\/div>\n I\u2019ve seen this play twice before\u2014in 1996 at the Ahmanson and in early 2019 at the Wallis\u2014and remembered liking it, but not any of the action. (Other than that an inspector calls, of course!) But I do<\/em> know that this<\/em> production features two major changes, which are good ones.<\/p>\n First up is a different set than the modern norm. Since the show\u2019s revivals of the early \u201990s, (and how I\u2019ve<\/em> seen it both times,) there\u2019s usually a tiny house in the middle of the stage, which seems far away. The opening dinner party scene takes place on the top floor, which makes it hard for the audience to figure-out what everyone\u2019s saying, and from exactly which character each line is coming. I love<\/em> the little house, but that staging makes it kind-of difficult to get into the show from the beginning. But, since Theatre 40 wouldn\u2019t have the space for a far away edifice like that, anyway, this<\/em> one takes place on a normal<\/em> stage, which is how playwright J.B. Priestley meant for it to be all those decades ago to begin with! I liked it better this way; the story is much easier to follow.<\/p>\n The set by Jeff G. Rack. Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Perhaps even better than the proper set this time is that director Cate Caplin made the inspector\u2026a woman! I usually don\u2019t like anything different done to original scripts, (and especially as far as age, race, and gender go, which more often than not makes things confusing,) but it really works in this case. The tall, handsome actress, Mouchette van Helsdingen, who plays the role with just the right amount of arrogance, really looks like an imposing British inspector. And I like that Inspector Goole is now a tough woman, intimidating the family. So that\u2019s a beneficial\u00a0modification.<\/p>\n David Hunt Stafford and Monty Renfrow. Photo by Gabriel Tejeda-Benitez.<\/p><\/div>\n My only small complaint about the production at all is that the lighting is a tad too dark. I know what they\u2019re going for\u2014lighting in old-time English houses was not bright. But I really did need it to be a little lighter here. I always<\/em> find dark stage lighting to be depressing, and it puts me to sleep. And in this<\/em> case, I really wanted to see the actors\u2019 faces better because their reactions are part of the tale.<\/p>\n What I appreciated even more than the intriguing tale and excellent execution of it is that the societal and political aspects of the story are very relevant today. Before the inspector leaves, she tells the family, \u201cWe are responsible for each other.\u201c And adds, \u201cIf men will not learn that lesson, they will be taught it in fire and blood and anguish. We don\u2019t live alone.\u201d That\u2019s a lesson that I feel that most people still need to learn today.<\/p>\n Mouchette van Helsdingen and Diana Angelina. Photo by Gabriel Tejeda-Benitez.<\/p><\/div>\n In addition to the entertainment value of An Inspector Calls<\/em>, the message is really about helping each other, which you know I always applaud.<\/p>\n This last part actually did make me chuckle a bit. At one point, because of the official inquiry into a death, the father, (played by Theatre 40 Artistic Director, David Hunt Stafford,) says that he\u2019s upset that now he may not get a knighthood! That is so Trump of him.<\/p>\n Let me just end with a happier thought\u2014all the detectives on Dateline<\/em> would be jealous at how quickly this one is solved!<\/p>\n An Inspector Calls<\/em>\u00a0running through December 14, 2025<\/strong> THEN MOVING TO:<\/strong><\/p>\n The Manor\u00a0running January 8-18, 2026<\/strong> AN INSPECTOR CALLS This is yet another excellent production at Theater 40 in Beverly Hills! It was my friend Nina2\u2019s first visit to this unique venue, and although she\u2019s usually very critical of shows we see, she really enjoyed this one. That\u2019s recommendation enough! And I\u2019m adding my own. An Inspector Calls is basically a<\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a>
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