Inspector Morse: House of Ghosts

Written by Alma Cullen

Directed by Anthony Banks

The Birmingham Rep

28th August - 14th September 2025

3  stars     “ a rather clever night out for all”

Set during a testing tour of Hamlet, the rising theatre star playing Ophelia dies mid-line. The show stops, the investigation begins. But for Inspector Morse, this isn’t just business, it’s personal. Secrets from 25 years ago, among Morse’s own university friendship group, take centre stage and play key roles. Old friends begin to corpse under the investigation’s spotlight.

A play within a play is an opportunity to go backstage into the lives of a promising but struggling theatre group. While the plight of actors can very often be the source of vain amusement, the public death of a somewhat dear co-star shifts the focus from vanity to reality. Inspector Morse: House of Ghosts does well to showcase the inner conflict actors face in an industry where only a good reputation matters. Scene by scene, line by line, Morse pieces together the events of his past and present that lead to the finale of some unresolved personal drama.

One of the standout performances comes from Charlotte Randle as Verity, a seasoned actor and old university friend of Morse. Randle juices every line for all its worth and is a delight to watch – true presence and a lifting grasp of comedy. Another is Spin Glancy as Justin, the troubled lead actor playing the troubled Danish prince. Glancy finds a fascinating balance between melodrama and nuance, skilfully flicking between either when appropriate. Tachia Newall plays Morse’s dependable partner, Lewis, and is likeable from the start. His upbeat and direct attitude balances Morse’s often pensive and withdrawn demeanour. Newall does well in keeping us uplifted in some rather glum circumstances.

Inspector Morse, spearheading this investigation, is played by Tom Chambers, around whom much of the advertising for the show is centred. Towards the end of the investigation, Chambers reveals Morse’s fire and grit in his pursuit of justice. It’s clear that Chambers wants to portray the inspector as a man with an active mind but reserved physique. Unfortunately, Chambers comes across as uncomfortable onstage. Inspector Morse is not a character the audience feels welcome to embrace for most of the play.

The set and costume by Colin Richmond and lighting by Lizzie Powell are visually excellent and take us through the inner workings of this investigation in 1987 Oxford. For most of the narrative, we feel as though we are backstage with the actors and investigators.

The cast and crew execute the show well, but what they execute has not been crafted well. If you’re looking for good stagecraft, this isn’t the show for you. While there are moments that feel like they belong in the theatre, most of the show feels like a television transplant that needed a little more thought. The sporadic meta-comedy is out of place, like last-ditch efforts to get Christmas cracker chuckles.

Nonetheless, if you’re looking for a clever whodunit, delving deep into the characters’ histories and racking your brain around how Inspector Morse can solve this escalating drama of an investigation, you’ll have a nice evening out.

Inspector Morse: House of Ghosts is neither stylised nor kitchen-sink; it lives in an uncomfortable in-between.

Reviewed by: Daniel Wolfe

The review will appear in the magazine this week and will be discussed on David’s radio show