On Friday evening The Luxembourg Chronicle got the chance to see the National Theatre London production of J.B. Priestley's classic thriller, An Inspector Calls, at the Grand Theatre in Luxembourg-Limpertsberg.

Beforehand, Janine Goedert presented an highly informative background to the play (in English) in which she explained that while the play was set in 1912, it had been written in 1946 after the end of the Second World War. 1912 was in the Edwardian era during which the class and social divide were very apparent and capitalism was on the rise. She also introduced the various characters and explained the links with socialism.

The play started with a storming opening scene in which the amazing set was introduced to the audience, with the Birlings, a well-to-do family, celebrating the engagement of their daughter. Their bliss in however interrupted by the arrival of Inspector Goole who informs them of the death of a young woman; little-by-little the storyline reveals that each of the main characters has known her and could have been partly responsible for her death, all in different ways.

The storyline reveals the strengths and weaknesses of each character as the play progresses and Inspector Goole focuses on one character after another, with the recently-engaged daughter, Sheila Birling, taking over once the Inspect departs the scene.

This production is marked by both incredible performances from all the cast without exception, as well as a stunning set with two primary features - the rain and mist on stage for the street scenes and the corner house that opens up and tilts to create differing perceptions. Coupled with superb lighting and melodramatic music, the audience is drawn into the play as one of the onlookers, all creating a cracking theatrical experience not to be missed.

The last performance is this evening, Saturday 30 January 2016, at 20:00. Tickets available from www.luxembourg-ticket.lu or at the venue.

Photos by Robert Day