Ghost

I grew up in Stoke-on-Trent. It is a fabulous city filled with wonderful people, and I would defend it to anyone. That said, even I have to concede that it is difficult to get confused and think you were in the West End. With the greatest respect to Leek New Road, the home of Stoke Rep, one doesn’t get hints of Drury Lane or Shaftesbury Avenue. But anyone who watched this performance of Ghost tonight would absolutely have been forgiven for thinking they had stumbled into one of London’s premier theatres such was the quality of this production. OK, so the bar prices probably would be a giveaway but nothing about the quality of the show would have offered even the slightest hint.

The sound and music were very well executed, the music seemed a little too loud for the dialogue just right at the beginning, but this very quickly settled. The band were on top form although the design of the theatre means they are hidden away from view but this by no means takes away from their presence or impact. Congratulations to them and the MD (Leah Franks) for a job very well done.

The set was reasonably simple at first glance and centres around a loft apartment but easily transforms into the other settings as we go on. I say simple at first glance, but it contained some clever features such as a door that was rigged to look like a ghost went through it – the actor looked like they went through a soft panel but it was extremely cleverly done. There was also clever use of mannequins and lighting to allow both the human “body” and the ghost to be on stage at the same time. A video screen was put to extremely good use in depicting the various settings along with some well-chosen pieces of set dressing. The use of a screen when done well like this really adds some flexibility to the staging and pace of set changes without compromising design or the created atmosphere. Props and costume were perfectly in keeping and just added to the overall presentation. Congratulations to the direction team (Gareth Ridge & Rob Lawton) for flawless execution.

Like everything else about this production, the acting was top notch and the vocal quality in some corners once again making you wonder if a couple of West End pros had snuck into the cast. This applies across the board, there were absolutely no weak links in this cast (to be fair, I couldn’t find a weak 10 seconds anywhere, never mind a whole link!). Kieran Picken as Sam stepped into Patrick Swayze’s impressive shoes to portray the man betrayed in the most fatal way by someone he trusted and bound to this plane by the love for the woman he left behind. Kieran gave Sam the heart required for the character along with a great vocal (even when somewhat impeded by Kayleigh Ann Strong’s amazing hair during the pottery scene!). A Swayze-worthy performance!

Talking of Kayleigh Ann Strong (and really; stunning hair!), this was a show defining vocal performance! As Molly Jensen, a woman destroyed by grief and vulnerable to someone she thinks she can trust, she is oblivious to Sam’s continued presence in her life. Kayleigh portrayed Molly’s raw pain with total command and gave real heart to the battle of a girl desperate to believe her true love is still with her but wary of being taken in by a charlatan. The irony being that one closest to her is the real threat……

James Dawe as Carl Bruner was booed at the curtain call and whilst we are not in panto season quite yet, this was just testament to his portrayal of a man who murdered his friend to save his own skin (something James acknowledged with a cheeky thumbs up for the audience!). His performance was fabulously chilling!

Going where Whoopi Goldberg has gone before must be quite daunting but Lucy Birkin as Oda Mae Brown was nearly a show stealing performance, only prevented by the sheer volume of talent she was sharing a stage with! This is the comedic element, something Lucy delivered in spades but also showed her vocal chops too particularly with her solo number.

Every member of the wider cast left their mark whenever they appeared both vocally and with acting skill as they weaved the story both as ghosts and humans. It was a sizeable cast and every member delivered a tight and polished performance. I suspect the rehearsal process was organised, long and probably fraught on occasion but trust me when I say that every moment was worth it for what you all created.

Just a very personal opinion; given the calibre of the people who wrote the book, music and lyrics, I did kind of expect there to be maybe one or two songs that I would be humming to myself on the drive home but it isn’t a musical with a stand out song for me, rather a high quality selection that floats you through the story. It was the first time I have seen Ghost and I couldn’t have asked for a more beautifully presented production. And knowing the turbulence experienced by this society in recent times, the execution is even more impressive. One has to feel sorry for whoever is presenting Ghost the second time I see it! Thank you for a fantastic evening and your kind welcome. I cannot wait to come and see you again.

Andrea Keady

NODA Representative – District 3

As Regional Councillor for the West Midlands I was delighted to visit Newcastle Operatic Society for the very first time all be it a different performance to Andrea.

The company were celebrating their 60th anniversary and had in place a new committee. I was pleased to meet some of the previous committee, as well as Michael Dyer in his role of the new chairman and some of the cast.  I am also grateful to Michael for showing me backstage post final curtain and sharing some of the secret effects – am I sworn to secrecy?

Having seen the show professionally several times Ghost the Musical has worked its way up the personal pecking order of favour shows. The performance by Newcastle Operatic Society has proven to me why this is the case.

I can not add much more regarding the standard of acting and vocals from the principal performers in the production. The moment when Kayleigh Ann as Molly believed Kieran as Sam was present using one word ‘Ditto’ was spine chilling. All the characters were to totally believable, and the choreography was precise

From me a massive thank you for not only watching the show but also for the welcome from those I was lucky enough to meet. This was a show which most certainly raised my spirts. I look forward to October 2026 and another show with its challenges – Dear Evan Hansen.

Andy Brown, Regional Councillor NODA West Midlands

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