Melting Pot and Birmingham Repertory Theatre bring their gripping co-production, Inspector Morse: House of Ghosts, to 
Milton Keynes Theatre this March as part of a major UK tour. Starring Tom Chambers (winner of BBC 1 Strictly Come Dancing series six and Inspector Edgar Sullivan in BBC 1’s Father Brown) as the much-loved Inspector Morse, the production opens in Milton Keynes from Tue 17 – Sat 21 March.
Chambers is joined by actor and rapper Tachia Newall (best known as fan favourite Bolton Smilie in BBC 1’s Waterloo Road, alongside roles in ITV’s Coronation Street and BBC 1’s Doctor Who) as the steadfast Detective Sergeant Lewis, bringing a fresh energy to the iconic detective partnership.
The cast also includes Robert Mountford (Much Ado About Nothing, Globe Theatre; The Merchant of Venice, RSC) in the dual roles of Lawrence Baxter and Paul Kincaid; James Gladdon (The Score, Theatre Royal Haymarket & Theatre Royal Bath; A View From the Bridge) as Freddy; Spin Glancy (Forty Years On, Chichester Festival Theatre) as Justin; Teresa Banham (A View From The Bridge, Touring Consortium; Netflix’s The Crown) as Ellen; Charlotte Randle (Vardy V Rooney: The Wagatha Christie Trial, Wyndham’s Theatre; Medea, Almeida) as Verity; and Olivia Onyehara (All’s Well That Ends Well / Richard III, RSC; The 39 Steps, SJT Scarborough) appearing in the multiple roles of Rebecca / Harriet / Ellen.
Completing the ensemble are Josh Katembela, making his touring theatre debut following his graduation from RADA, and Eliza Teale (Swansea Boy, Volcano Theatre; Filumena, Theatre Royal Windsor / BKL Tour).
A chilling mystery is set in motion when a young actress dies suddenly on stage during a performance. Detective Chief Inspector Morse is drawn into a compelling investigation, which takes an increasingly dark turn as he and DS Lewis uncover links to disturbing events from Morse’s own past, dating back twenty-five years.
Inspector Morse: House of Ghosts is the first-ever stage adaptation of the iconic detective. ITV’s long-running Inspector Morse, described by Radio Times as ‘The greatest British crime series of all time’, also inspired the hugely popular spin-offs Lewis and Endeavour. Starring Tom Chambers (Father Brown, Strictly Come Dancing) as Inspector Morse, this original stage story is essential viewing for fans of suspenseful crime drama and thrilling mysteries.
Alma Cullen wrote episodes of the ITV crime drama including The Secret of Bay 5B (1989), The Infernal Serpent (1990), Fat Chance (1991) and The Death of The Self (1992), all based on characters created by Colin Dexter.
Adapted from Colin Dexter’s novels, the hit ITV series Inspector Morse starred John Thaw as the cerebral inspector, renowned for his love of opera, crosswords and fine real ale. Alongside his trusted sergeant, DS Lewis, played by Kevin Whately, the duo captivated audiences for 13 years across 33 episodes with their intelligent storytelling, gripping mysteries and unforgettable characters. The series became a cornerstone of British television, earning numerous accolades and a loyal following. Dexter’s characters continue to fascinate audiences, with House of Ghosts representing the latest chapter in the legendary detective’s story.
Inspector Morse: House of Ghosts is written for the stage by Alma Cullen. The tour also reunites Tom Chambers with director Anthony Banks (The Girl on the Train, West End / UK Tour; Steel Magnolias, UK Tour) following their collaboration on the 2020/21 tour of Dial M For Murder.
Tom Chambers’ theatre credits include Murder in the Dark (Touring); Elf (Dominion Theatre); Dial M For Murder (Tour); Crazy For You (UK Tour); Private Lives (UK Tour); White Christmas (Dominion Theatre); Top Hat (Aldwych Theatre); and Cyrano De Bergerac (Derby Theatre). His television work includes Father Brown, The Great Train Robbery, Midsomer Murders, Casualty, Emmerdale, Holby City and Waterloo Road. Film credits include Fakers, Apollo 13: Dark Side of the Moon and Meet Pursuit Delange.
Anthony Banks has directed the world premieres of numerous new plays, including The Girl On The Train (West End/National Tour); Jim Cartwright’s Raz (West End/National Tour); The Gap (Hope Mill); Lucinda Coxon’s Herding Cats (Soho/Hampstead/Ustinov); James Graham’s Bassett (Bristol Old Vic); Dennis Kelly’s DNA (National Tour); Mark Ravenhill’s Blackmail (Mercury); Nick Dear’s Hogarth’s Progress (Rose); Ryan Craig’s Games For Lovers (Vaults); Kevin Elyot’s Twilight Song (Park Theatre); Bryony Lavery’s Cesario and More Light; Lucinda Coxon’s The Eternal Not; and Michael Lesslie’s Prince of Denmark (National Theatre); Snoo Wilson’s Pignight (Menier); and Mark Ravenhill’s The Experiment (Soho Theatre/Berliner Ensemble).
He has also directed twentieth-century classics including Daphne du Maurier’s My Cousin Rachel adapted by Joseph O’Connor (Bath/Chichester); Patrick Marber’s After Miss Julie (Theatre Royal Bath); Patricia Highsmith’s Strangers on a Train (National Tour); Patrick Hamilton’s Gaslight (National Tour); Tennessee Williams’ The Hotel Plays; Dial M For Murder (National Tour); George Bernard Shaw’s Mrs Warren’s Profession (Bath/Chichester); and Robert Harling’s Steel Magnolias (National Tour).
Anthony served as an associate director at the National Theatre from 2004 to 2014, during which time he commissioned and developed 100 new plays for NT Connections.
Simon Friend Entertainment Limited and Birmingham Rep present Inspector Morse – House of Ghosts.
