Walking back to their apartment late one night, a tragic encounter sees Sam murdered and his girlfriend Molly alone, in despair and utterly lost. With the help of a phony storefront psychic, Sam, trapped between this world and the next, tries to communicate with Molly in the hope of saving her from grave danger.
Despite the scenario, Jacqui Dubois brings a lot of laughs, stealing the show as she reprises her iconic role as the not not-so-psychic psychic, ‘Oda Mae Brown.’ While Rebekah Lowings and James Mateo-Salt show incredible chemistry on stage, having us convinced of their deep adoration for each other.
The movie Ghost is one of cinema’s biggest all-time hits. Starring the late Patrick Swayze, alongside Demi Moore and Whoopi Goldberg, it was the highest grossing film of 1990 and won an Oscar for screenwriter Bruce Joel Rubin who has adapted his screenplay for this musical.
Quite a legacy to honour then but what results is a polished and touching production that rightly earned its standing ovation. The staging and lighting worked well in separating the present with the afterlife and was timed to perfection. After all, this was never going to be an easy task – ‘dead’ bodies deftly appearing out of nowhere and actors jumping in to embody the psychic in order to communicate with the living!
Director Bob Thompson, writer Bruce Joel Rubin and team have succeeded in taking a classic film and turning it into a show that can stand on its own merits, combining key familiar elements of the story with some minor reworks as well as modernising the story and set.
It’s an emotional rollercoaster of a show that is packed full of spirit, helped in no small measure by the delightful score – courtesy of Eurythmics’ Dave Steward – and including the song synonymous with one of the most famous romantic movie scenes in cinematic history, Unchained Melody. (Potters’ wheels have never been seen quite the same way since!)
A successful stage transition combines with stunning score and all-round talented cast and crew to make this one of my most memorable theatre experiences of the year (and I have a lot to choose from!)
Aside from the sad storyline running through, there are also plenty of belly laughs to be had. Either way, you’ll be damp of cheek! Be sure to pop a tissue in your pocket before leaving the house.
Ghost: The Musical plays at The Belgrade Theatre until Saturday. Tickets available here.
