What to talk about without giving out spoilers? The butler
did it, well house maid anyway. Alright we all did it ……………..or did we? Did
anyone do it?
 |
| Gareth Baskerville - rehearsing the role of Gerald Croft |
How do I feel about playing Gerald? Well, first things
first, the language used in An Inspector Calls is definitely not in my normal day to day vocabulary.
So to anyone coming to watch I apologise for any lapses. I am learning the
lines but I am finding it very difficult. Especially as I’ve never been very
keen on doing it. Even twenty five plus years of learning lines doesn’t make it
any easier. So I have to knuckle down and make sure I do. Also I’m not a person
that likes to deal with or dwell on the darker side of human nature, or to
think too much when watching a play. I much prefer to laugh during my
entertainment and there ain’t many gags in this one.
Gerald is a hypocrite in this tale of the fall of Victorian
middle class moral values. His part in all of this is a small one. But, his
part shows the greatest swing and reversal of moralities. Born into an upper
class family, he is bred with their beliefs and lives by them……..when it suits
him. His early simpering towards Mr Birling is testament to this – he wishes to
marry his daughter. Then we believe at the time of his ‘tale’ that he did feel
for the unfortunate Eva/Daisy and perhaps recognise that he sympathises with
the Inspector's views. But his return to the Middle/Upper class views at the end
is hideous and shows his true character.
The more I rehearse this part, the less I like the character.
It makes me feel - like a politician – dirty. The play challenges views and
preconceptions. It may well be set in Victorian times where people’s views were
perhaps a little more blunt, but the story still holds today and holds against
myriad types of oppression. As society moves on, so must we.
Gareth Baskerville
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