"An Inspector Calls" by J B Priestley

Nottingham Theatre Royal.

Written at the end of the Second World War and set before the First, "An Inspector Calls" is a compelling thriller with plenty of dramatic moments. The story begins when Inspector Goole arrives unexpectedly at the prosperous Birling family home. Their dinner party is shattered by his investigations into the death of a young woman. His revelations shake the very foundations of their lives but wait for the final twist, which tops all previous twists and revelations!

Liam Brennan as Inspector Goole; cool, calm and collected with a mysterious air.

Christine Kavanagh is Sybil Birling, the matriarch of the Birlings. Here is a character that could have been left over from "Downton Abbey", especially with those fantastic clothes.

Jeffrey Harmer as Arthur Birling. The Birling boss man.

Simon Cotton as Gerald Croft. We first see Croft as he is celebrating with the Birlings, his engagement to Shelia Birling.

Chloe Orrock plays Sheila Birling, a very classy young woman.

George Rowlands as Eric Birling, the youngest of the Birling children, who likes a drink or ten.

Frances Campbell as Edna. Edna is the Birling's maid. Just watching her face gives you everything you need to know about this character. She knows exactly where she needs to be and what she needs to do at any given time.

The children are played by Tyen Tailor-Bird, Evie Hood and Vincent Oliver.

The cast is completed by Philip Stewart, Beth Tuckey, Maceo Cortezz and Rue Blenkinsop.

I've deliberately not given more details about these characters because all members of the family, as well as those on the outside, have secrets revealed about their past actions, and what those actions, and reactions, collaborate towards the suicide of a young girl that had touched their lives at some time in their past. Or are they involved?

Directed by Stephen Daldry, In the 30-years since its first performance at the National Theatre in 1992, Stephen Daldry’s production of "An Inspector Calls" has won a total of 19 awards, including four Tony Awards and three Olivier Awards, and has played to more than 5 million theatregoers worldwide. "An Inspector Calls" is the most internationally-lauded production in the National Theatre’s history.

I've seen this play a few times in the past, and still find new things to see in the productions, and the story still enthralls me.

Set Designer is Ian MacNeil. This set is one of the most memorable of set designs and the house design also parallels what happens with the family. I'll say no more than that. There's rain, mist as well as mystery in this spooky tale and the set design really enhances the advancement of the story.

Lighting Design is by Rick Fisher, it's dark and brooding, creating that uneasy air, giving you the feeling that all may not be as it first seems.

The music for the production has been composed by Stephen Warbeck. Take away the sea of crisp and chocolate biscuit wrappers, the popping of fizzy pop cans, squeaky chairs, mobile ring tones and mutterings, and the music takes you back to those B Movie Sunday afternoon films; dramatic and startling that makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand to attention and gives you the urge to look behind you!

The costumes for all characters are gorgeous and have a host of wardrobe people that have created them.

I mentioned the drama that is in this show, and one part involves a slap to one of the characters from another, and that really looked, and sounded so real, it created a vast intake of breath by much of the audience. The fight choreography was also very tight. I'd love to go into more detail but I really don't want to give too much away and spoil anything for anyone who already has tickets for the play, or may want to see it.

Here is a thriller that, if you've not seen it before, is one that you need to tick off your thriller list. It's uneasy feeling, nerve tingling and oppressed feel will make this thriller one that you will not forget in a hurry. It also has a message to deliver to today's audience that we should all embrace.

"An Inspector Calls" will be at the Nottingham Theatre Royal until Saturday 21 January.