PLAYHOUSE THEATRE, LIVERPOOL – UNTIL 17TH JANUARY 2026
REVIEWED BY MIA BOWEN
5*****
Last night, I had the immense pleasure of delving into the intriguing, clue-filled world of Inspector Morse: House of Ghosts at the Playhouse. Given the packed theatre, it was clear that I was among many who had spent decades solving mysteries from the comfort of their own sofas. Although I’m not particularly well-versed in the ITV series, I discovered that a deep understanding of Morse isn’t necessary to appreciate this production—just a love for clever mysteries, sharp dialogue, and the occasional theatrical ego meltdown.
This first-ever stage adaptation of the iconic detective immerses Morse and Lewis in a delightfully meta whodunnit surrounding the mysterious on-stage death of a young actress named Ophelia. As the investigation progresses, it intertwines with sinister events from Morse’s own past, occurring 25 years earlier. This connection prompts moments of self-reflection amid a theatrical realm filled with actors, secrets, and a magnificently domineering director—complete with an abundance of twists, turns, and red herrings.
The cast is outstanding across the board, making it genuinely challenging to highlight individual performances. Charlotte Randle, as Verity, was particularly impressive—exuding brilliance on stage while delivering gloriously exaggerated, dramatic portrayals of acting with impeccable timing. Spin Glancy as Justin fully embraced the over-the-top melodrama, providing hilarious moments that were thoroughly enjoyable in the best way possible.
At the core of the narrative are the detectives themselves. Tom Chambers as Inspector Morse and Tachia Newall as DS Lewis have a terrific rapport, demonstrating an effortless chemistry that grounds the play and lends significant weight to the mystery. Their partnership is sharp, engaging, and a pleasure to witness as they navigate both the crime and the chaos of the theatrical world surrounding them.
The design elements deserve particular commendation. Colin Richmond, responsible for both set and costume design, has crafted a wonderfully versatile stage that transitions seamlessly from crime scene to pub to police station and back to the stage itself. The movement of props on and off the stage is slick and seamless, maintaining the story’s momentum without ever disrupting the audience’s immersion. It’s a clever, fluid, and immensely effective design.
Even as a novice to Morse, it was impossible not to recognise the significance of the character’s legacy. After all, this is the series that Radio Times readers voted as the greatest British crime drama of all time in 2018 and which ranked 42nd on the British Film Institute’s list of the 100 Greatest British Television Programmes. Fortunately, Inspector Morse: House of Ghosts more than lives up to this reputation, offering classic Morse intelligence with a playful theatrical twist.