Ghost the Musical (Regent) – theatre review

Adapted from the Academy Award-winning 1990 film starring Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore (it won Oscars for Best Supporting Actress – Whoopi Goldberg – and Best Original Screenplay) Ghost the Musical is a beauty, a real crowd pleaser.

Rob Mills’ (WICKED) voice is stronger than ever, dynamic and commanding as banker Sam Wheat, the love of sculptor Molly Jensen’s life. Jemma Rix (WICKED), whose vocals are exemplary, is equally assured and confident as Molly. Filling the prize role of sham psychic Oda Mae Brown – that Whoopi Goldberg made so memorable – is the sassy Wendy Mae Brown (South Pacific) and doesn’t she belt out the numbers and carry with her an indomitable stage presence. She is a scene-stealer and I say that with a great deal of appreciation and affection for what she does. Wendy Mae undoubtedly has the best lines and milks them for all she is worth.

The 18-strong cast also includes David Roberts (Mamma Mia!) as Carl Bruner, Sam’s best mate.

For those who didn’t see the film, Ghost The Musical is set in modern day New York City. It is a timeless fantasy about the power of love. Walking back to their apartment one night after a romantic dinner, Sam Wheat and Molly Jensen are mugged, leaving Sam dead on a dark street.   But Sam has some unfinished business on earth before he can ascend to heaven. That is why he is trapped as a ghost between this world and the next, unable to leave Molly, whom he learns is in grave danger from a most unlikely source.  With the help of Oda Mae Brown, Sam tries to communicate with Molly in the hope of saving and protecting her.

Ghost The Musical is directed by Tony Award-winner Matthew Warchus who has most recently brought Matilda the Musical to the Australian stage. It is choreographed by Ashley Wallen (The X Factor). Featuring eight musical numbers in the first act and seven in the second, including Unchained Melody in both, the musical is engaging, polished and highly enjoyable, with humour and pathos.

The music is, on occasions, complemented by entertaining dance numbers and spectacular special effects (not seen in a musical before) and makes superb use of the latest video technology, which features prominently throughout. Among the “wow” moments are Sam, as a ghost, walking through a solid door, inanimate objects taking on a life of their own, subway passengers thrown into the air and people disappearing and reappearing. Illusions were skillfully created by Paul Kieve (Matilda the Musical).

Ghost The Musical features book and lyrics by Academy Award winner Bruce Joel Rubin (who wrote Ghost) and original music and lyrics by a team of Grammy Award-winners. They included Dave Stewart (half of the multi-Grammy Award-winning Eurythmics) and Glen Ballard (Michael Jackson’s Man in the Mirror).  As mentioned, the score includes the iconic song Unchained Melody, written by Hy Zaret and Alex North and performed in the movie by The Righteous Brothers. The production premiered in Manchester in 2011 before transferring to the West End and later Broadway.

Now is our chance to see the show and I assure you it doesn’t disappoint. In fact, on the contrary, it is a visual feast, superbly creative with a story that remains as moving as when I first teared up in the cinema 25 years ago. It is playing at Melbourne’s best venue, the Regent Theatre, before moving to Sydney’s Theatre Royal on 18th March; and you can buy tickets here.

Alex First