There was something genuinely special about watching an Inspector Morse story unfold live on stage, particularly in Oxford, the city so closely bound to the detective’s identity.
Inspector Morse – House of Ghosts opened last night at New Theatre Oxford, bringing the world of Inspector Morse back to life in a way that feels both nostalgic and freshly theatrical. Written by Alma Cullen, the play is based on the much-loved Morse stories created by Colin Dexter.
For those unfamiliar, Morse is the famously cerebral detective of Thames Valley Police, immortalised on television by John Thaw in a series that ran from 1987 to 2000. This stage adaptation is set in the mid-1980s, before the age of DNA evidence and digital forensics, when legwork, instinct and intellect carried the investigation.
The plot centres on Inspector Morse (played by Tom Chambers) and DS Lewis (Tachia Newall) as they investigate the sudden death of a young actress during a stage performance. But the title House of Ghosts proves telling: alongside the murder mystery, Morse is forced to confront his own past — unfulfilled ambition, lost loves and lingering regrets.
The production is briskly paced, with slick set changes transporting the audience through recognisable corners of Oxford as the investigation unfolds. There are knowing nods to the city and to a time when technology was far removed from today’s instant solutions, which adds texture and authenticity rather than indulgent nostalgia.
Following the clues is no easy task. This is a tightly wound mystery with multiple suspects, each armed with plausible motives. Even when you think you may have identified the culprit, the narrative — true to the Morse tradition — reveals there is far more at play than first appears.
Much of the show’s success rests on the chemistry between Chambers and Newall, who capture the guarded camaraderie and intellectual tension at the heart of Morse and Lewis’s partnership. Jason Done brings just the right mix of arrogance and unease to the role of Laurence Baxter, while Charlotte Randle is thoroughly engaging as Verity, adding energy and emotional bite.
For fans of Morse, this production feels like a respectful and confident extension of a beloved world. For newcomers, it stands as a compelling piece of detective theatre in its own right. Watching Morse investigate on stage, in Oxford, carries a resonance that television simply cannot replicate.
Inspector Morse – House of Ghosts runs at the New Theatre until Saturday.
Tickets and further information are available at www.atgtickets.com/oxford.
