Everyman Theatre Cheltenham – until Saturday 5th October 2024
Review by Kathie Hodges
5*****
Ghost the Musical brings the unforgettable 1990 film to life with its iconic soundtrack, emotional depth and supernatural twist. The musical follows the tragic love story of Sam played by Josh St. Clair and Molly played by Rebekah Lowings, whose lives are shattered when Sam is murdered.
Stuck between life and death, Sam must rely on a quirky psychic, Oda Mae Brown played wonderfully by Jacqui Dubois, to protect Molly from potential danger while attempting to say the goodbye they never had.
The heartfelt performances by St. Clair and Lowings manage to capture the intensity of the couples love and tragic loss. St. Clairs singing voice is incredibly powerful and flawless while Lowings is utterly beautiful, and I dare anyone not to cry when she sings ‘With You’. In fact for me in terms of emphasising the grief of the pair, this moment was it. The famous number ‘Unchained Melody’ is a pivotal moment of course, evoking nostalgia for fans of the original film, but for me Lowings singing ‘With You’ was the moment I wished I had stocked up the tissues as advised. It was truly the most heart wrenching vocal performance of the night, showcasing perfectly her angelic voice. Original songs by Dave Stewart of Eurythmics, enriched the production with a mix of pop and rock and a really fun number for the Hospital Ghost played joyfully by Les Dennis.
The set is wonderfully creative and rapidly changing from the New York apartment where the couple lived, to the streets of New York to the famous Underground train scene.
The special effects do a great job in representing the ghostly world.
The show’s choreography though competent, was ever so slightly lacking. That said for any small part of the show that may have been lacking, after all it’s incredibly hard to adapt to stage such a hugely successful movie, Jacqui Dubois who plays the psychic Oda Mae Brown makes up for it in boat loads. Her timing is perfect, her sassy personality shines through and the audience are completely captivated by her performance and her outfits.
If you loved the movie, this is one to watch for its blend of romance, drama, and light hearted moments.