House of Ghosts - Altrincham Garrick

It’s a mystery - Morse and Lewis played by Jonathan Black and Andrew Higson

WHEN I discovered John Thaw was to play another TV detective I expected him to be something like Jack Regan, who I idolised as a child when I sat glued to The Sweeney in the 70’s.

This was a man straight out of the boot in the door and ask questions later school of policing. But Inspector Morse was a world away from the much loved maverick from the Flying Squad, cultured, considered, cerebral and with a deep seated love of classical music.

It takes a lot of guts and no amount of talent to play a character so inextricably linked with an acting icon like Thaw. But Jonathan Black certainly succeeds here and doesn’t try to impersonate the late stage and screen great.

Black has quite a presence and the way he reprimands his sidekick Sergeant Lewis for his verbal faux pas is genuinely funny. Andrew Higson plays the part perfectly and the chemistry between the two very different men certainly comes across.

The duo are asked to investigate the dubious death of a young actress playing Ophelia in Shakespeare’s Hamlet. All of a sudden the company finds itself embroiled in a real life tragedy as fingers of suspicion are pointed and cupboards release their skeletons.

I’ve seen Sarat Broughton in countless productions at the Garrick and her performance as Ellen Underwood is her best yet and Jacque Hamilton also impressed me as the old soak actress Verity Carr, an actress who has been there, done it and bought enough t-shirts to open her own t-shirt shop.

My only criticism of Alma Cullen’s play is it is something of a slow burner in places. But this in an engrossing and intriguing tale all the same.

Who can resist the chance to play detective?

Until May 28. Tickets are available from 0161 928 1677 or www.altrinchamgarrick.co.uk. Star rating - 3.5/5.

Photo - Martin Ogden