Inspector Morse: House of Ghosts
Chichester Festival Theatre
until Saturday 10th January 2025
Currently touring the UK until mid April is the first ever Morse stage play, adapted by TV writer Alma Cullen and based on Colin Dexter’s book. John Thaw and Kevin Whateley famously played the well-known detective double act on tv back in the late 80’s for over a decade.
The play is set inside a theatre during a performance of Hamlet, when suddenly a young actress tragically dies on stage! Inspector Morse happens to be in the audience and immediately takes over to investigate what originally begins as a suspicious death but as the enquiries unfold begins to uncover more personal events from some 25 years earlier.
Imaginative staging and lighting effects help capture the nostalgic settings and bring this new mystery of intricate twists and a plot full of love and betrayal, to life.
The strong central characters were played by Tom Chambers, who embodies the personality of Morse, a reflective and brooding man with a penchant for music, crossword and real ale. He is ably supported by Tachia Newall playing his side-kick Lewis. While Chambers shows a vulnerable, more serious side reflecting on his past failures and unrequited love, Newall remains grounded and subtly affectionate creating a winning formula.
After a somewhat slow beginning the narrative gathers pace considerably in the second half and this thoughtful and engaging drama was much enjoyed by a large and enthusiastic audience.
⭐⭐⭐
Reviewer: Jill Lawrie
photo Johan Persson