Originally published by L.S. Media. November 7th 2010.
Cast: Colin Baker, David Axton, Andrew Bone, Paul Clarkson, Lynette Edwards, Gregory Finniegan, John Fleming, Caroline Harding, Christopher Heyward, Rachel Logan, Judith Rae, Gay Soper, Glynn Sweet, Nicole Ashwood, Richard Stirling.
When Inspector Morse finally solved his last case in The Remorseful Day, television and crime literature lost one of the greatest fictional detectives. Portrayed with aplomb by John Thaw on the small screen, he made the character that Colin Dexter created, seem entirely and wonderfully human. With faults that we all carry, namely, arrogance in our own belief, prone to falling in love with the wrong person and a liking for the odd pint, Morse is quite arguably the best fictional detective of the last 100 years.
House of Ghosts carries on that fine Morse tradition and where there was the late, great John Thaw in the role of Morse on screen, the stage production has benefited with inclusion of former Doctor Who star, Colin Baker, in the title role of the grumpy yet loveable Inspector.
Whilst ever mindful of the affection the country held for both Morse and John Thaw, Colin depicted the Oxfordshire Policeman with sensitivity, a certain tender brusqueness and powerful individuality.
The play revolves around the death on stage of actress Rebecca Downey who was cast as Ophelia. Her sudden passing on stage and the shouting of religious doctrine moments before from within the theatre by an unknown person cause the Inspector to halt the play immediately and begin his investigations into the company and those associated with it.
The Grand Theatre in Wolverhampton was the perfect setting for this play; the space that the theatre offers within the audience’s realm allows the actors to roam throughout if needed and becomes another addition to the talented cast itself.
Colin was joined on stage by a superb cast who showed the depth of characterisation needed for a play of substance. Included amongst these was the brilliant David Acton as the self obsessed and bombastic Theatre Director Lawrence Baxter and Gay Soper as the brought out retirement actress, her joy at being on stage was palpable for the audience to see and appreciate.
The play was written by Alma Cullen, a mature student of the University of Liverpool and creator of two original, two hour Inspector Morse films for television. The quality of the writing shows the cast of perfectly and the whole show is enhanced by having someone who knows the characters intimately and with some affection create this one off theatre production.
One of the highlights of the genre and a thrill for serious whodunit fans to witness.
Ian D. Hall