Will Aberdeen crime fans be able to crack Inspector Morse’s new mystery?
Strictly legend Tom Chambers is in Aberdeen this week as Inspector Morse - but is the play worth going to see?
But the detective, who emerged in a popular series of novels by Colin Dexter and was made famous on the screen by British acting legend John Thaw, remains as popular as ever.
And that was clear last night as scores packed into His Majesty’s Theatre for a new story, which has been freshly crafted just for the stage, when it began its run in Aberdeen.
What happens in new Inspector Morse show in Aberdeen?
Inspector Morse: House of Ghosts begins, funnily enough, with a trip to the theatre.
It starts with an homage to one of the most famous ghost stories of them all.
We are thrust into a performance of Shakespeare’s Hamlet, with the prince giving his famous “to be or not to be” soliloquy.
Moments later, this “show within a show” section comes to a screeching halt as the young actress playing Ophelia really does die on stage.
There follows a nifty bit of stagecraft which jolts the HMT audience from its comfort zone, and brings us into the action.
I wouldn’t like to spoil the surprise, but I thought it was a nice touch.
An intriguing mystery ensues, with some links to Morse’s own past emerging as the detective tries to solve what he believes could be a murder.
Tom Chambers, a veteran of TV shows Casualty, Holby City and Father Brown, plays Inspector Morse.
Would I recommend going to see Inspector Morse in Aberdeen?
Chambers does a good job in the lead role, despite lacking the gruff authority of John Thaw’s TV version.
The former Strictly Come Dancing winner receives a warm response at the end, surprising us with a burst of energy by clicking his heels in very un-Morse-like fashion while the audience clap.
Tachia Newall also captures the spirit of Lewis well, right down to the Newcastle accent.
The leading duo seem to have developed good chemistry, with the playful banter between refined Morse and working class Lewis providing some welcome light relief.
The show certainly has its highlights, including a neatly constructed twist in the second act.
But the plot at times felt overcooked, and numerous references to past events were hard to keep track of – at least without the sort of handy flashback scenes we might see on TV shows.
Nevertheless, I am sure Aberdeen Inspector Morse fans will relish this chance to reacquaint themselves with this unique character.
The show runs until Saturday and you can buy tickets here.
[Source: Press and Journal]
