A decade after the popular television dramatisations of Colin Dexter’s books ended., Inspector Morse is back in an original stage play by Morse TV dramatist Alma Cullen at Cardiff’s New Theatre this week.

In The House of Ghosts, the audience are taken into a scenario not far removed from most theatres, a production of Hamlet. As the story unfolds the scenario becomes more realistic when events not penned by Shakespeare begin to happen and what appears to be a murder is committed live on stage.

Enter the booming presence of Inspector Morse as played by Colin Baker and you have the beginnings from that moment on the audience were hooked.

Theatre Director Laurence Baxter (David Acton) is immediately under suspicion, as Morse regards the fellow student from his Oxford under-graduate days as the only true evil man he has ever met. However all as it may seem and even Morse himself finds himself uncovering secrets from his own dim and distant past.

Former Doctor Who Colin Baker is a joy to watch as Inspector Morse. He’s as pompous as he is sincere and believable all the way through the production. David Acton’s portrayal of Laurence Baxter, the very unpleasant theatre Director makes you love to loathe him as the drama unfolds. While Paul Clarkson’s performance as Catholic Priest, Paul Kincaid and Lynette Edwards as spurned lover, Ellen Underwood are also stand out performances.

House of Ghost’s continues at Cardiff’s New Theatre until Saturday!