JB Priestley evokes memories of studying the haunting An Inspector Calls at school, but his first play comes to Richmond next week.

Dangerous Corner, which opens on Monday, has a similar premise to Priestley’s most famous play – a group of people sat around the dinner table before something happens to blow the evening wide open.

On this occasion it is a chance remark about the concept of the truth; should we tell the truth or is it dangerous?

The dialogue between the characters spirals in typical Priestley fashion, which is one of the main reasons actor Michael Praed was drawn to the play.

“During the course of the evening, various different truths come out,” he says, talking from St Mawes, Cornwall, while the cast take a well-earned week’s break.

“I play a publisher, like all the men in the play, and some may describe him as amoral.

“I would not personally, but I can see why people would.

“He tells lies, but will come up with some sort of justification for lying, like the others, he is not a heroic figure, full-stop.”

As skeletons come crashing out of the closet, things will never be the same around the dinner table again.

Praed admits he loves the way the play was written, something he also experienced when performing in Journey’s End, written by RC Sheriff.

He says: “It is well written, has good sets and I love the way the story is structured.

“If you get all of those different things right, you have something good on your hands.”

Like many others, the visit to Richmond is one of the highlights of the touring production’s stint.

Praed says: “It is like playing at a London theatre, this will be my fourth time there I think.”

Directed by Michael Attenborough and presented by Bill Kenwright, Praed says, like all touring shows, there is a chance to show could end up on a West End stage soon.

“I think that is always lurking in the back of your mind,” he says. “You would have to ask Bill Kenwright how likely it is to happen though. Of course, you would need a theatre to be available and they don’t come cheap either.”

Dangerous Corner; Richmond Theatre, The Green, Richmond; September 29 to October 4; evening shows 7.30pm, Wednesday and Saturday matinee shows 2.30pm; £17 to £29.50; visit atgtickets.com/venues/richmond-theatre