Inspector Morse - Wit, Suspense; A Classic, Revived

Inspector Morse has always lived in that delicious space between intellect and intuition, and House of Ghosts — the first official stage adaptation of the character — captures that balance with confidence. At New Theatre Cardiff, the production delivers a mystery steeped in nostalgia yet sharpened for a modern audience, offering an evening of levity, peril and theatrical craft.

The story begins with a jolt: a young actress collapses mid‑performance, leaving Morse and Lewis to unravel a case that quickly entangles the detective’s own past. What follows is a tightly woven narrative that leans into the strengths of live theatre — stillness that crackles with tension, humour that lands because it’s shared in the room, and a creeping unease that builds scene by scene.

Tom Chambers leads the production with a performance that honours the Morse legacy without ever feeling like imitation. When I sat down with him last week, he spoke about the “thrill of embodying a national treasure” and the responsibility that comes with it. On stage, that reverence is clear, but so is his instinct to let Morse breathe. Chambers brings warmth and wit to the role, allowing flashes of levity to break through the detective’s brooding exterior. It’s a choice that feels tailor‑made for theatre, giving the audience space to connect with Morse as a man, not just a mind.

The production itself is beautifully judged. Alma Cullen’s writing nods to the classic Morse tone — the intellectual puzzles, the moral ambiguity, the slow unfurling of truth — while embracing the immediacy of the stage. The interplay between Morse and Lewis provides much of the charm, grounding the darker turns of the plot with humour and humanity. Lighting and staging choices heighten the sense of foreboding without ever overwhelming the story, and the pacing keeps the audience leaning forward throughout.

What makes House of Ghosts particularly satisfying is its understanding of legacy. It respects the world Colin Dexter created, but it isn’t afraid to reinterpret it. This is Morse for a new audience — familiar enough to please long‑time fans, fresh enough to intrigue newcomers.

In Cardiff, the result is a gripping, atmospheric production that feels both classic and contemporary. A mystery with heart, humour and real theatrical presence.

A welcome return for a beloved detective.