Inspector Calls (play)

Question:"Imagine you are a director writing to an imaginary actress who plays the part of Sheila. Write how you want the actress to play Sheila."

I am writing you this letter because I feel it will help you in your acting career to play the part of Sheila in “An Inspector Calls”. I enclose notes on the play and how I feel your character should be performed.

The play itself is set in the year 1912 and the main characters are the Birling family, Arthur and Sybil the parents. Sheila and Eric, their children. The Birlings are a prosperous Edwardian family. Arthur Birling being the head of his own Company.

Also central to the play is Gerald Croft, who is set to be engaged to your character Sheila, Inspector Goole and Eva Smith, who never actually appear on stage. At the start of the play the family are celebrating your engagement to Gerald. The Inspector comes to the house with the news that Eva Smith, a young woman, has poisoned herself and died. The plot of the play is centred around this death, and the other characters’ involvement in it. In your role as Sheila I want you to come across at the beginning as very lively and pleased with life. You need t

. . .

View the whole essay, without interruption

At the dinner you need to tease Gerald and be playful towards him.

Act One page 24

Act Two page 29

In Act Two the Inspector questions Gerald and Mrs Birling about their involvement with Eva Smith.

“It’s the only time I have ever done anything like that, and I will never, never do it again to anybody. He tells you about the way she died and you must change from being happy to being very distressed.

Inspector Goole had been talking to Mr Birling about how he had sacked Eva Smith from his factory. At the end of the play, after the Inspector has proved a fake, your father makes a joke of the whole thing.

When he gives the ring you are the centre of attention and you need to show you are enjoying this by your voice and body actions. You have believed every word the Inspector said because you needed to know the truth. At the end of Act Two the Inspector is questioning Mrs Birling. You say you will never, never do the same thing again. You are bitter towards Gerald and use a sarcastic voice. The scene becomes more tense as you let Eric know the part your mother has played in Eva’s death. You move towards the Inspector to show that you want to know the truth and not hide it like your parents. o talk in an excited manner with an exaggerated tone.

Approximate Word count = 1580
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)

Simply subscribe to view this paper, and 100,000 others.