Festival Theatre, Malvern – until 30th November 2024
Reviewed by Courie Amado Juneau
5*****
Ghost The Musical is, as the title suggests, based on the famous Ghost film (from 1990). Originally hitting the West End 20 years after the film, tonight Malvern got to enjoy the show.
The band, lead by Musical Director Jordan Alexander, were on fine form – with the strings and keys soaring forth with a lush romantic theme that was to recur throughout to great effect. It’s a beautiful score from Dave Stewart and Glen Ballard with the original songs standing the test of time and sitting proudly among their more famous counterparts (more of that later)…
Rebekah Lowings (playing Molly Jenson) and Josh St. Clair (Sam Wheat) were both amazing. They made a thoroughly convincing couple with genuine chemistry – especially in the iconic potter’s wheel re-enactment, which was even better than in the film due to a liberal dunk in the humour pond! Their emotional portrayals made us believe in and care for them, but it was their voices which impressed most with singing that was both mellifluous and full of conviction.
All the cast were fantastic, with the chorus line appearing in many perfectly formed guises. I was blown away by Molly Cleere’s singing as Mrs Santiago – short on stage time but long in the memory. And Garry Lee as the Subway Ghost in a full blooded and full throttle performance deserves special mention too. Jules Brown (as Willie Lopez) and James Mateo-Salt (Carl Bruner) also gave the leads solid support.
And what can one say about Les Dennis? Legend. His comedy pedigree shone through and provided a lovely contrast to the leads emotional roller-coaster, stopping the work becoming too heavy. His singing was a revelation too (as Hospital Ghost) in a charming song (and dance) routine that made one smile.
Jacqui Dubois had the responsibility of emulating Whoopi Goldberg’s role – and she did herself proud with an Oda Mae Brown that delighted. She was funny and genuinely touching. Her musical number “I’m Outta Here” was one of the highlights, surrounded by a ladies chorus dressed in outfits made from dollar bills…
…exemplary work there from Set and Costume Designer Mark Bailey, whose stage was an ingenious creation giving the panorama of New York in miniature whilst conjuring the claustrophobia of the city. The perfect backdrop. I loved the moving panels that were cunningly used to convey the ghost’s later descent into Hell.
Unchained Melody, naturally, loomed large all evening. It’s reappearance at the end was sensitively handled but it’s introduction near the start was even better – beginning on guitar and then… well, I won’t spoil the surprise but take my word for it; brilliant. Molly’s “With You” song was the emotional high point of the work for me – Ms Lowings’s voice was so gorgeous that I could barely catch my breath.
So, did Ghost The Musical live up to the promise? It sure did. I wasn’t the only man in the audience with a tear in my eye, a song in my ear and a warm feeling in my heart as I left the auditorium. A triumph of storytelling that was jam packed with wonderful acting, singing and dancing. For lovers of love, I heartily recommend this show.