"Imagine that you are directing the play "An Inspector Calls" and have to explain to the actress who is playing Sheila how you think her part should be played. Write the guidance you give her."
Dear Mrs. Leighton,
I am writing to congratulate you on your exceptional performance at last months auditions. You did a great job of impressing our firm and I am delighted to offer you a major role in our production of "An Inspector Calls". We feel that based on the abilities you displayed to our panel you would be best suited for the role of Sheila Birling.
The production is set in the Spring of 1912 and follows the interrogation of a family in response to the suicide of a young girl. An inspector arrives at the Birling's residence interrupting the celebrations of an engagement with information regarding the suicide of an "Eva Smith", and proceeds to produce evidence linking each family member to the girls recent past, documenting how their actions may have contributed to her suicidal mentality. We hope that this production will help to convey the idea that everyone should look after one another regardless of gender, race, culture, religion and class and build up personal awareness of the direct affect actions have on the immediate community.
Now, Sheila Birling is the daughter of a wealthy factory owner, Arthur Birling who has high social status within the local community. She is in her early twenties and rather pretty, and is very pleased with her life at present especially about her recent engagement to Gerald. She is partially responsible for Eva being fired from her employment at Milwards, a local shop. The Birling family are highly respected and valued customers and this provides all the leverage Sheila requires to have Eva fired for no justifiable reason, except for the fact that she was in a particularly bad temper on the day in question.
Sheila reveals several different sides to her character at different points in the play. Several quotes within the script present these conflicting views and characteristics. For instance she presents her guilty conscience regarding Eva's suicide when she says: "I behaved badly. I know I did. I'm ashamed of it." It shows she does have emotions and a heart, and that she cares.
"But these girls aren't cheap labour- they're people", Sheila presents her views on girls being treated as possessions in this quote. She uses this quote following Inspector Goole's suggestions that Eva's class of citizen were good and easy targets for cheap labour. In this quote she also presents her objective nature and shows she isn't afraid or intimidated by the inspectors imposing presence.
When the Inspector questions her regarding to her involvement with Eva, she is very open and responsive, unlike the other members of the family who are too busy trying to cover their tracks. She is exceptionally helpful and enthusiastic in aiding the enquiry, which also causes her to expose her concern and guilt.
After hearing that her fiancé Gerald had an affair with Eva not long ago, she calls off the engagement and returns the ring to him. She is disgusted with him as he'd told her he was on a business trip at the time. She is also appalled by her mothers callousness toward Eva. She is appalled by the fact that her mother shows no hint of concern or guilt in regard to Eva's suicide, even after discovering that Eva was pregnant and had been fired from two respectable jobs.
Sheila also realises before her mother, her brother Eric's involvement with Eva. She realises when Eric leaves the premises and the inspector becomes significantly insistent that Eric's presence is essential to the investigation.
When she realises her mother is digging Eric a huge hole to get out of, she becomes really upset and hysterical.
Her mother begins to place the entire blame on the father of Eva's baby, who though she doesn't realise at the time is her son, and Sheila's brother Eric. As her mother says "if as she (Eva) said, he (Eric) didn't belong to her class and was some drunken young idler then that's all the more reason why he shouldn't escape. He should be made an example of. If the girls death is due to anybody, then it's due to him."
Sheila is also really concerned about the events leading up to Eva's suicide. She becomes really persistent and displays a general interest.
Sheila also becomes aware of the Inspectors unexplainable knowledge. She realises he knows all the facts in brief and is looking for answers to fill the spaces. As she says to Gerald "Why- you fool- he knows. Of course he knows. And I hate to think how much he knows that we don't know yet."
Also Sheila is the one who learns from the experience more than the rest of the family, as she highlights the fact that the moral remains the same despite the Inspector and the case being superficial. Every little thing you do can directly affect others in ways you can't even fathom.
Now as the actress you will be required to take the stage directions into consideration when you deliver certain lines, in respect of emphasise on particular words/ sentences. By doing this you should aim to acquire the audiences trust and sympathy resulting in them valuing your opinions and points more. Try to bear this in mind when analysing the script, so you can recognise dialogue and situations where such dramatic emphasise may be necessary.
Toward the end of the production you also begin to promote certain socialist ideals of Priestly's. Remember that regardless of your opinions of these ideals, you should aim to promote them to the best of your acting ability.
Finally I would like to highlight the key points you will be required to consider in response to this role:
• You will be required to convey the feelings and emotions experienced and portrayed by Sheila using the standard of ability you displayed at the auditions.
• You will need to use body language, facial expression and tone of voice in order to simulate the reactions of Sheila, paying close attention to the personality and perceptions of the character.
• You will need to adopt a positive attitude to present Priestly's socialist ideals. Remember, we are paying you for your acting skills and not for your views and opinions.
Finally, you will be required to follow a strict dress code in response to the era in which the play is set and also in response to Sheila's taste. We shall provide a selection of suitable attire from which you will be required to select your dress wear.
We hope to hear from you soon.
Yours Faithfully
Ben Scott
