An Inspector Calls

by J. B. Priestley
WILD RICE
Ngee Ann Kongsi Theatre, Singapore

WILD RICE opens its ambitious 2023 season with An Inspector Calls, a show that was meant to be staged three years ago but unfortunately cancelled due to the pandemic. J. B. Priestley's classic play about class, morality and privilege is deftly transposed to 1950s Singapore where an affluent Bukit Timah family is torn apart over the course of an evening by the arrival of an enigmatic inspector investigating a death which everyone appears to be connected with.

Glen Goei directs a taut, thrilling production that's bolstered by strong performances, keeping audiences on the edge of their seats all the way to the unnerving twist. I enjoyed the moments of levity which provided a much-needed respite in what could be an incredibly talky play. Wong Chee Wai's elegant set and Leonard Augustine Choo's sharply tailored costumes round out a richly theatrical evening that reminds us of the divide that continues to exist between the haves and the have-nots in our society.

The Crystalwords score: 4/5