Seeing Inspector Morse brought to the stage at the Theatre Royal was an intriguing experience. This new play, written by Alma Cullen who also worked on the television series, gave fans the chance to meet Morse in a fresh setting while still honouring the detective’s familiar traits.
The story begins during a performance of Hamlet, when an actress collapses and dies on stage. Morse is in the audience and quickly finds himself investigating, peeling back layers of hidden secrets and personal history. The clever use of a play within a play added an extra richness to the mystery, allowing themes of masks, memory and truth to come to the surface in ways that felt both thoughtful and theatrical.
Tom Chambers brought Morse to life with sensitivity and conviction. He avoided copying John Thaw and instead made Morse his own, showing intelligence, brooding depth and moments of sharp vulnerability. He managed to capture both the weight of the character and his more human side. Opposite him, Tachia Newall as Lewis was warm, humorous and grounded. The chemistry between the two gave the production real heart and balanced the darker tone of the investigation.
The supporting cast filled the stage with distinct personalities. Each character added colour to the mystery, though at times there were so many threads that it became difficult to give every subplot the depth it deserved. Even so, the ensemble worked hard to create a sense of a world full of suspects, friends and shadows from Morse’s past.
The direction was imaginative, using set changes to move fluidly between onstage performances, backstage dressing rooms and other locations. Lighting and sound created atmosphere and the familiar strains of the Morse theme felt like a warm nod to long term fans. At times, the pace faltered with a little too much exposition, and the mechanics of moving scenery occasionally distracted from the unfolding drama.
Despite these moments, the play succeeded in capturing the spirit of Morse. It treated the character with respect, weaving in his love of music, his complicated moral compass and his restless mind. The mystery itself had plenty of twists, and while not every revelation landed as powerfully as it might have, the overall effect was engaging and satisfying.
Inspector Morse: House of Ghosts offered an evening that was both nostalgic and new. For long time admirers it felt like a welcome return to a beloved detective, and for newcomers it worked as a solid and enjoyable mystery in its own right. It was not flawless, but it was thoughtful, atmospheric and filled with affection for its source. Walking out of the theatre, I felt it had been a rewarding night and a fitting tribute to one of Britain’s most enduring detectives.
