Inspector Morse: House of Ghosts
Theatre Royal Brighton
playing until 25th October 2025
Director: Anthony Banks
Written for the stage by Alma Cullen
In collaboration with Melting Pot and Birmingham Rep
The mere mention of ‘Inspector Morse’ can cause many TV watchers who lived through the ‘80s and ‘90s feel a warm glow, and succumb to not a little nostalgia. Those 2 hour complete ‘films’ were compulsive viewing for so many of us, and in the days before ‘catch up TV’, we happily settled down to a regular couple of hours of sheer bliss.
The inspired combination of the disparate duo created by the author Colin Dexter has arguably never succeeded in being emulated. Dexter’s 13 novels were loved throughout the world and recreated on screen by the inimitable John Thaw as Inspector Morse and his faithful Sergeant Lewis, played by Kevin Whately. Part of the reason was the depth of the plots, no gratuitous sex, and negligible amounts of violence. The delving into the complex character of the enigmatic Morse (who refused to reveal his christian name during the series, though it is now well known via the subsequent TV series featuring a young unrecognisable Endeavour Morse) and his constant sidekick Lewis. He was portrayed on TV as ever-so-slightly obtuse, a family man with a heart, and for whom Morse had a deep affection, albeit for the most part disguised, with his habitual gruffness.
Written by Alma Cullen (who scripted several of the TV episodes) this play was written specifically for the stage, and never pretends to be a total recreation of the original characters – it has many of the background details of course, but it is clearly not intended to be a carbon copy of the series.
Set in a theatre, the curtain opens on a rather fabulous soliloquy from ‘Hamlet’, (consummately played by Spin Clancy as Justin) which was worthy of the RSC. However it is not long before the inevitable inexplicable death happens right in front of us ‘on stage’, which is handy as Inspector Morse just happens to be in the audience.
Tom Chambers, a familiar face to us from Holby City, Waterloo Rd and much more, plus as an erstwhile winner of Strictly no less, as Morse is a younger version of the John Thaw character, but makes a terrific job of managing to incorporate a good handful of intimations of how the man would turn out to be as we saw him on TV. Little demonstrations of the irascibility to come, a smattering of pedantry with poor Lewis, and the love of a pint or two – more often than not put on Lewis’ bill. Tachia Newall delivers a great performance as Lewis, rather more savvy and quirky than expected, and with a Yorkshire accent rather than the Whately Geordie we are used to. Although it appears to be a complete reinvention of the original TV character, he, too, maintains the familiar background of the man, ever put upon by Morse and expected to support his insistent visits to the pub for a real ale – which the Inspector claimed, were essential in helping him to think clearly.
As it evolves, the play hinges on Morse’s Oxford days, and we are given previously unrevealed hints of his loves, regrets and reminiscences. We are rewarded with glimpsing the softer side of the man, revealing some surprising inner feelings. Sneers at Morse’s ‘policeman’ career from his peers cause him to ask questions of himself, and Tom Chambers gives us a stylish, well rounded performance throughout every scene. He even managed to convey the hands-in-pockets, movements traits and facial expressions which John Thaw delivered, but without the doleful cynicism and jaded air which accompanied them.
The main members of the supporting cast were all great: Robert Mountford as Lawrence/Paul, James Gladdon (Freddy), Teresa Banham (Ellen), Olivia Onyehara, Eliza Teale, and a special mention to Verity played by Charlotte Randle, who not only looked like a younger Harriet Walter, but her voice and intonation were uncannily similar. It was satisfying that each player was given the chance to really explore their individual characters’ inner depths. This is a very tight production, expertly put together, and I really enjoyed the ‘workmanlike’ choice of getting all the actors to move the props, and that some scenes were played simultaneously in a very clever way.
Anthony Banks as Director has utilised the stage quite brilliantly for this ‘play within a play’ plus the effective lighting and glimpses into the ‘wings’, all ensured we really felt we were ‘in’ on the show.
The on stage chemistry between the leads and the whole ensemble was palpable, all clearly relishing performing together in this brand new play, which makes a huge difference to the outcome.
If you’ve never seen the original Morse TV series, or read Colin Dexter’s books, fear not …. if you love mystery crime dramas, you’ll love this one. It stands alone perfectly well.
And ….. if you dream of a return to the ‘old’ Morse, you will be delighted with the nods to his crossword obsessions, cerebral thinking, ‘rogue’ detection and you’ll even get some opera thrown in. And oh! That familiar theme music from Barrington Pheloung cannot fail to send a shiver down your spine!!
⭐⭐⭐⭐
2 hours 5 minutes including 20 minute interval
Touring
Reviewer: Gill Ranson