An Inspector Calls: Stage Directions

Question 1

Mrs Birling: Act 1

Answer 1

A rather cold woman

Her husband’s social superior

Question 2

Eric Birling: Act 1

Answer 2

Half-shy, half-assertive
Uneasily
Suddenly bursting out

Question 3

Sheila Birling: Act 1

Answer 3

Half-playful, half-serious
Very pleased with life
Who has put ring on admiringly
Cutting in

Question 4

Mr Birling: Act 1

Answer 4

A rather portentous man
Provincial in his speech
Cutting in

Question 5

Gerald: Act 1

Answer 5

Well bred young man about town
Politely
Rather uneasily (knows what he had done)
He looks crushed (facade is down)

Question 6

Mrs Birling: Act 2

Answer 6

Very sharply
Agitated now (x2)
With dignity (on charity work)
Triumphantly
Frightened

Question 7

Sheila Birling: Act 2

Answer 7

Urgently cutting in
She goes closer to him wonderingly
Bursting in
Horrified

Question 8

Eric Birling: Act 2

Answer 8

• NOT ON STAGE FOR BEGINNING IF ACT 2

Extremely pale and distressed
He meets their inquiring stares

Question 9

Mr Birling: Act 2

Answer 9

Rather hot and bothered
Sharply shocked
Bewildered and rather frightened

Question 10

Gerald: Act 2

Answer 10

Bitterly
Distressed
Apologetically (to Mrs B on Eric drinking)
He goes out (FOR END OF A2 GERALD IS GONE (FOR ERIC REVEAL))

Question 11

Mrs Birling: Act 3

Answer 11

Very distressed now
With some excitement (post Inspector)
Coming to life (post Inspector)
Guilty and dumbfounded (post 2nd phone call)

Question 12

Sheila Birling: Act 3

Answer 12

Protesting
Frightened
Flaring up
Passionately
Guilty and dumbfounded

Question 13

Eric Birling: Act 3

Answer 13

Miserably (x3)
Nearly at breaking point
Almost threatening her
Bursting out
Guilty and dumbfounded

Question 14

Mr Birling: Act 3

Answer 14

Harshly
Savagely
Rather excited (post inspector)
Keenly interested (post inspector)
Guilty and dumbfounded

Question 15

Gerald: Act 3

Answer 15

Looks round triumphantly (upon return)
Smiles (upon return)
Guilty and dumbfounded