Inspector Morse writer to give talk at Clwyd Theatr Cymru

Oct 29 2009

AUTHOR Colin Dexter is best known for creating flawed detective Inspector Morse, brought to life on TV by John Thaw.

But what’s not as well known is that, like Alfred Hitchcock, Colin had a small walk-on part in each episode of the show.

On November 6 at Mold’s Clwyd Theatr Cymru Colin Dexter will talk about his creation, explain how the books were adapted for TV and reveal what Thaw was like to work with.

Born in Lincolnshire, Dexter studied at Cambridge before teaching classics.

He was forced to retire, after 13 years, due to deafness, becoming secretary to an Oxford exams board.

He began writing after reading a crime novel during a rainy family holiday in a rented cottage near Pwllheli, which he felt he could have written better. He wrote the first few pages at the cottage’s kitchen table.

His first novel Last Bus to Woodstock was published in 1975. His famous character Morse, who drove a restored Mk II Jaguar, has since appeared in 13 novels and numerous short stories, plus 33 episodes on ITV from 1987 to 2001.

There’s also a spin- off with Morse’s former sidekick Sgt Lewis, with Dexter also making cameo appearances.

Grumpy, cask ale-loving Morse, who listened to classical music was also a crossword fiend. Dexter, who picked up numerous TV and writign awards for Morse, also appeared in a BBC show explaining how to solve cryptic crosswords.

Morse and Me: An Audience with Colin Dexter, Clwyd Theatr Cymru, November 6, tickets 0845 330 3565 or clwyd-theatr- cymru.co.uk