Stephen Daldry's An Inspector Calls returns to the West End

Nicholas Woodeson stars in Priestley's play as Inspector Goole, the titular detective investigating the apparent suicide of a destitute woman, Eva Smith Photograph: Tristram Kenton

Goole's investigation leads him to the door of industrialist Arthur Birling (centre, played by David Roper), as Arthur toasts the engagement of his daughter, Sheila, to Gerald (right, played by Timothy Watson), the son of another local businessman. Arthur's son, Eric (left, played by Robin Whiting), looks on Photograph: Tristram Kenton

Inspector Goole learns that Eva Smith used to work for Birling but was sacked when she campaigned for a pay rise Photograph: Tristram Kenton

Sheila Birling (played by Marianne Oldham) also has a connection to Eva Smith and feels responsible for the young woman's downfall Photograph: Tristram Kenton

It transpires that Sheila's fiance, Gerald, knew Eva too – but under a different name Photograph: Tristram Kenton

We later find out that Arthur Birling's wife Sybil (played by Sandra Duncan) is far from innocent. The investigation threatens to tear the family apart Photograph: Tristram Kenton

An Inspector Calls was written by Bradford dramatist JB Priestley in 1944 and remains one of his most famous plays. Ralph Richardson played the inspector in the West End in 1946; Alastair Sim took on the role in a 1954 film adaptation Photograph: Tristram Kenton

Stephen Daldry's 1992 production was set alternately in 1912, 1944 and 1992 Photograph: Tristram Kenton

Daldry's 2009 revival of the play is 'brilliantly accusatory, bracing and strange,' writes Brian Logan. It's at the Novello theatre until 14 November Photograph: Tristram Kenton