An inspector calls

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Jean: When the play begins, the family is celebrating Sheila and Gerald's engagement. Let's start with Gerald since he's the only one who isn't a Birling. We get our first introduction to Gerald through the stage directions: In 1986 Richard Wilson directed a production at the Royal Exchange, Manchester with Geraldine Alexander as Sheila Birling, Hugh Grant as Eric Birling and Graeme Garden as Inspector Goole. [16] Birling: Take my word for it. And I've learned in the good Harvard School of experience. A man has to mind his own business and look after himself and his own.

Carl: Like her husband, Mrs Birling cares more about how things look to other people than how things actually are. Throughout dinner, she tells Sheila and Eric off for things that she considers impolite while turning a blind eye to Eric's drinking. Carl: Alright, it's time to get on my best shoes and polish the cutlery because tonight we're going for dinner with the Birlings. As the play begins, Mr and Mrs Birling are having a dinner party with their son Eric and their daughter Sheila. Sheila’s fiance Gerald is also there. The family is celebrating Sheila and Gerald’s engagement.

Eva called herself Mrs Birling which foreshadows what we will find out in Act Three. The original Mrs Birling (Sheila's mother) did not like the fact that Eva was going around calling herself Mrs Birling. So she refused to help Eva and instead insisted that it was the baby’s father’s responsibility. Carl: First, Gerald is evasive and tries not to talk too much about it. But then he realises that Sheila already suspected they had an affair. So Gerald opens up and reveals that he knew Eva/ Daisy. The Birlings' daughter, initially portrayed as naive and sheltered. After learning of her role in Eva's dismissal from a job at a local shop, she becomes remorseful and is the most receptive to the Inspector's message. Jean: You don't really get to be a knight in shining armour if you end up having an affair and cheating on your girlfriend.

Jean: After questioning Gerald, the inspector talks to Mrs Birling, and it's revealed that a few months after Gerald ended things, Eva Smith was pregnant. And after she was in a tough spot when it came to money, she went to the local women's charity to ask for help. And guess who was an influential member of the Women's charity? Mrs Birling, of course. Carl: But when the inspector starts to question Sheila, she almost immediately knows what part she played in Eva's death. She looked at a dress in a shop and she didn't think it looked good enough. But then she caught a glimpse of Eva Smith holding the dress up to her body, it looked so good with Eva that it instantly brought Sheila's insecurities out.

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Birling: That was the police. A girl has just died – on her way to the Infirmary – after swallowing some disinfectant. And a police inspector is on his way here – to ask some – questions – Jean: It becomes pretty clear that Eric is drunk at the dinner table and later it’s revealed that he's been drinking too much for quite some time. But his mother thinks that Eric is just her perfect baby boy.