Acting Edition S. Series

This volume is part of a new series of novels, plays and stories at GCSE/Key Stage 4 level, designed to meet the needs of the National Curriculum syllabus. Each text includes an introduction, pre-reading activities, notes and coursework activities. Also provided is a section on the process of writing, often compiled by the author. In this play, the mysterious Inspector Goole interrupts an engagement party at the home of the prosperous Birling family with the news that a young woman has died at the local infirmary after swallowing disinfectant. Which of them was responsible for the death of Eva Smith?

Laburnum Grove

by J B Priestley

Published 28 February 2013

Ferndale, Laburnum Grove. A quiet, residential address in one of the newer north London suburbs. George Radfern, decent, respectable citizen and householder spends his Sunday evenings in his greenhouse, listening to Handel on the wireless. But when his grasping in-laws and daughter's obnoxious beau try to coax more money from him, George makes an unlikely confession.

An exploration of greed and dishonesty in suburban England, Priestley observes the facade of middle class respectability, and its crooked undercurrent with verve and humanity in this immorally comic story of money, family, and criminality.

When We Are Married everything you need to catch up, study and prepare for the 2025 and 2026 exams

by J B Priestley and Paul Nye

Published 31 December 1938

Key features of this text:

How to study the text
Author and historical background
General and detailed summaries
Commentary on themes, structure, characters, language and style
Glossaries
Test questions and issues to consider
Essay writing advice
Cultural connections
Literary terms
Illustrations
Colour design

Dangerous Corner

by J B Priestley

Published 1 April 2003

Robert Caplan and his wife are entertaining her brother and sister-in-law. Because Robert insists on uncovering the truth about his brother Martin's 'suicide', many unpalatable revelations ensue which cause Robert to shoot himself. At this point, the opening scene is repeated, but this time they bypass the dangerous corner at which the truth is demanded, thus averting the disaster. Written in 1932 this forms one of the three 'time plays'.

Time and the Conways

by J B Priestley

Published 1 January 1939

4m, 6f / Scenery: Interior

The Conways are having a party to celebrate Kay's twenty first birthday. Kay hopes to be a novelist. Hazel, the beauty, anticipates a romantic marriage. Madge wants to reform the world and marry the dashing young family lawyer. Carol, the baby of the family, spreads good cheer while Robin, back from war, is certain to have a good career. Alan is content to be an armchair philosopher. The nitwit mother has high hopes for them all. At the party Kay, with frightening clarity, sees her family twenty years in the future. They are petty, mean, and unfulfilled. Only Kay and her calm brother realize time is relative and there is something fine and worthwhile beyond.

Mystery at Greenfingers

by J B Priestley

Published 1 January 1937

A snowstorm traps a group of guests and crew into the Greenfingers Palace Hotel. A detective is sent to the hotel to investigate a top secret crime, but it is Miss Tracey and new hostess who solve everything.-6 women, 4 men

They Came to a City

by J B Priestley

Published 1 January 1999

Just before dawn the play's characters - who represent every stratum of society - come to the wall overlooking a strange city whose gate is shut against them. At daybreak they are admitted and towards the end of the day some have found it to be the ideal earth has never achieved. So that everyone may know of this attainable perfection two of them make the sacrifice of leaving the city to return to their sinful world. Contained in the volume Priestley Plays II.-5 women, 4 men

I Have Been Here Before

by J B Priestley

Published 31 January 2015

A British wife, her elderly husband and her lover meet a German professor at an Inn in Yorkshire. His probing questions reveal that they are unhappy and confused. They have played out their scene many times, always ending in suicide and poverty. The professor warns them that they must now break the pattern.2 women, 4 men

Rose and Crown

by J B Priestley

Published 20 January 2017

This is the first of Priestley's published one-act plays and originated as a specially written television play for the BBC. It was transmitted from Alexandra Palace first on 27 August, 1946; Priestley went on to adapt it for the stage in 1947. The setting is the public bar of The Rose and Crown, a small pub in North-East London, one evening in early autumn. Into the bar comes an assortment of working-class characters who, with one notable exception, are fed up with life.3 women, 4 men