Ghost

Based on the 1990 romantic fantasy film (am I the only person who hasn’t seen it?) starring Patrick Swayze, Demi Moore
and Whoopi Goldberg, “Ghost, the Musical” was written by Bruce Joel Rubin with music and lyrics by Dave Stewart (of
Eurythmics fame) and Glen Bollard. It premiered in Manchester in March 2011 and in the West End in July that year.
Having only seen the musical once, several years ago, I did not remember much of the plot. As this youth company has
stopped producing a programme - presumably to cut costs – there was no printed synopsis or listed scene changes so some
audience members may have been a bit confused, as was I, to what was happening and where. The set was minimal, with
shaped screens on wheels through which shadows were visible and black flight cases, also on wheels. These were all
choreographed as expertly as the cast who moved them! Lighting was atmospheric and effective with individual pools of
light well used. Some dry ice would have helped the ghost scenes and maybe a blue light on Sam. Sound was variable –
sometimes it could have been set a little lower! Although the piece is set in the 1980s, costumes were not era specific, but
it didn’t matter. Failing to access mobile phones of that era the cast just used a variety of older models and props (stored in
the flight cases which were also used to represent a computer etc and even moved around as cars.

Playing Molly, who loses the love of her life, was Neve Wilkinson. She showed the emotions of a young girl in love, to
utterly lost and despairing, to scepticism and back, in very convincing manner. She had a lovely voice and showed
emotion in her vocals too. She and Mark Comar as Sam displayed good chemistry between them. Sam – the unfortunate
boyfriend who gets himself killed in an opening scene – is a difficult role to play without the movie magic to convey the
fact that he is a ghost during most of the show! Mark managed to suspend disbelief, especially when trying to save Molly
from danger, without being able to make himself heard by her. His vocals were confident and pleasurable, and he
harmonised well with Neve. Despite all the additional songs written by Dave Stewart for the show, the famous ‘Unchained
Melody’ did it for me!

Sam’s friend and colleague Carl was played by Neal Mullan. He turned out to be a two-timer who had organised Sam’s
attack although he had not intended it to be fatal. Neal played the devious man well, sometimes being a sympathetic
companion to Molly in her grief but involved with drug dealers and using bank accounts to launder money. He too had a
strong singing voice. Harrison Gordon was Carl’s villainous friend Willie Lopez who was only supposed to steal Sam’s
wallet but fired the fatal shot. He had a menacing presence and cast a dark shadow whenever he appeared. Marrisa
McKittrick took the comedic role of phoney storefront psychic Ode Mae. Full of enthusiastic bounce, it was a pity that I
missed much of her dialogue because her voice was nearly always a high-pitched shriek. I really enjoyed her portrayal
which could have ‘stolen the show’ if her vocals had been more controlled.

Sisters Anna Hutchinson, Megan McSorley, Iona Clarke, Sophie Toal, Rachel Smith and Iona Kesson were a constant
support to Neve with the latter three plus Serena Smart all helping Jonny Brown with the choreography. Serena, Anna
Godfrey, Aaron Fisher, Kierstan Roddy and Jake Bennett were the Ghost Ensemble including the Hospital Ghost and the
Subway Ghost who showed the effects of isolation, trapped between this world and the next. The latter showed particular
mental health issues! All these took part in spectacular choreographed routines which were fast moving and well drilled.
Never let it be said that if you haven’t got a named role you are not important. Although the principals all brought
excellent varied emotion to the piece, it was the dance that impressed me most.

Jonny Brown directed an intense show full of loss, grief, enduring love and the supernatural; and elicited excellent
performances from his young cast. He also, with some help, devised exciting choreography for the superbly engaged
ensemble. Adam Darcy’s Band played with professional ease - semi hidden behind a gauze near the back of the stage.
Although the music of “Ghost” is a little lack-lustre and not very memorable, the songs keep the story moving and were
well taught by Adam.

This was a production well worth seeing and I thank everyone involved for giving me the opportunity to attend.
James and I thoroughly enjoyed our visit.

Sheelagh Hobart
NODA Regional Representative for Ireland

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