Ghost The Musical

Longwood AOS gave the audience a captivating and soul-stirring adaptation of Ghost: The Musical. I had the pleasure of experiencing this stunning adaptation of the much loved movie which starred Patrick Swayze, Demi Moore, and Whoopi Goldberg. This production successfully captures the essence and emotional depth of the film, while adding its own unique drive through mesmerising music and spellbinding performances. From the moment the audience arrives they are treated to a beautiful projection of the show title alongside the ambient sounds of New York’s city streets. Ghost, immerses the audience in a world filled with love, loss, and the supernatural. The imaginative yet simple set designs effortlessly transports viewers between bustling city streets, cafés and ethereal realms. The use of technology and projections enhanced the production, bringing the world to life in a truly awe-inspiring manner. The cast truly brought their A-game, capturing the essence and energy of the film's iconic characters while infusing their roles with their own unique characteristics. The chemistry between the actors is palpable, particularly the dynamic between the leads. Just like Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore, Dom Moccia (Sam Wheat) and Esme Barber (Molly Jensen) managed to authentically portray their characters love, struggle, lost and longing. Esme’s rendition of “With you” was truly spectacular and Dom took the audience on his journey through despair and determination with a steady guiding hand. The standout performance was delivered by Monique Slattery as Oda Mae Brown. Monique’s comedic timing and larger-than-life presence lights up the stage, providing much-needed levity in the midst of the story's emotional intensity. Her rendition of "Are you a Believer" was an absolute showstopper. Ben Maffin as Carl Bruner, the so called friend with his fingers in too many dodgy pies, was a very capable and confident actor who sang and acted without fault. There was a strong supporting cast which comprised of Holly Comber and Tom Waltham as the Hospital Ghosts, Toby Kershaw as Willie Lopez, Vanessa Hanson as Sister, Sally Kathoke as Louise, Louisa LeFevre as Clara and Chris Comber as the iconic Subway Ghost. All were equal to the task of keeping pace with the lead characters and enhanced a quality cast. Gemma Armitage as Rosa Santiago, genuinely stood out for her quality and presence on stage. There was an ensemble of 17 strong actors who helped bring this story to life and without them this production would not have been the same. Bruce Joel Rubin wrote the book and Lyrics but the real star of Ghost: The Musical, is the music itself. The score composed by Dave Stewart and Glen Ballard is a seamless blend of heartfelt ballads and catchy, energetic numbers. From the iconic "Unchained Melody" to the hauntingly beautiful "With You," the songs evoke strong emotions and enhance the storytelling. This production used backing tracks to deliver the music under the direction of MD Scott Kitchen. Not having an orchestra to pull and move with the cast must have made this job a challenge for Scott but he held the timing with the cast together perfectly. Choreography was compiled by Zoe Roebuck and was a delight to watch. Not exactly a dance show, Zoe added some very effective routines that enhanced the numbers without overshadowing the storytelling. The production's strength lies in its ability to captivate the audience and transport them on an emotional journey. It delicately explores themes of love, loss, and the power of letting go and Martin Stead did an amazing job as Director. Martin found some innovative ways to create the technical aspects of the production and rinsed every bit of emotion from the script, like the iconic pottery scene, which was beautifully recreated and retains all its sadness and sensuality, eliciting heartfelt sighs from the audience. The special effects were executed flawlessly, leaving the audience in awe and huge congratulations needs to go to the lighting, sound and stage crew who all worked well together to bring the directors vision to life. Costumes and make up were very fitting with the show I especially liked the costume for the Subway Ghost which was very gothic. One minor drawback personally is that some parts of the story feel rushed or condensed, but this is a minor quibble considering the overall impact of the production. In conclusion, Ghost: The Musical is a truly unforgettable theatre experience. It successfully pays homage to the original film while standing on its own as a spectacular production. The stellar performances, mesmerizing music, and emotionally resonant storyline made it a must-watch for fans of the movie and newcomers alike. I was entranced, moved, and enthralled by this remarkable journey into the afterlife and the standing ovation at the end was very well deserved.

My thanks to all concerned with this production and I look forward to celebrating your special birthday in 2024.

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