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Since 1990, I don’t think anyone has ever listened to The Righteous Brother’s Unchained Melody and not thought about that pottery wheel scene from Ghost. The film is considered one of cinema’s biggest all-time hits, having been the highest grossing film the year it was released. And the iconic film has been beautifully translated for stage by the movie’s Oscar-winning screenwriter Bruce Joel Rubin, resulting in an emotionally-charged and visually brilliant adaptation.
The musical stays fairly faithful to the original plot, but with some modern updates that bridge the gap between past and a digitally-savvy present. Molly – a ceramicist – and Sam – who works in finance – have just moved into a new apartment in Brooklyn with the help of Sam’s friend and colleague, Carl. But when walking back to their apartment late one night, a tragic encounter sees Sam murdered by mugger Willie Lopez (Jules Brown) in a robbery-gone-wrong.
Sam finds himself looking down at his own body trapped between this world and the next in the first of many supernatural stage tricks we see throughout the production that never fail to impress. Desperate to contact his beloved girlfriend Molly to warn her she’s in danger, he enlists the help of other restless spirits and a storefront psychic to help him take care of his unfinished business.
With the movie having starred the late Patrick Swayze alongside Demi Moore and Whoopi Goldberg, the cast had some pretty big shoes to fill – but rose to the challenge and undoubtedly delivered.
Rebakah Lowings was practically born to play Molly Jenson and brings a real believability to her character. Her emotions shine throughout her performance, but perhaps most notably during a haunting rendition of With You. This breathtaking solo is a particularly standout moment in the show that really captivated the audience – every single note was flawless, despite effectively conveying her grief throughout. And it’s not her only talent, it seems, as Lowings also actually throws a pot or two throughout the evening – a skill that can be uniquely appreciated here in the Potteries.
As Sam, Josh St. Clair complements Rebekah’s Molly perfectly, bringing a warmth and kindness to his character. Their chemistry feels really natural and authentic, which makes the story all the more moving. His vocals compliment that of his cast members, particularly in group numbers like Suspend My Disbelief/I Had A Life and Rain/Hold On, but there was a moment in Teach Me How that felt really quite powerful and allowed him to really showcase his strength as a vocalist.
The way Josh St. Clair interacts with various other characters is also impressive, his energy a chameleon of those around him, feeding off their energy. With Molly, Sam is tender and gentle, but there’s more humour and a lightness about him around Oda Mae Brown. We see a different side to him completely around Carl Bruner, too, with James Mateo-Salt playing the sly villain persona with cool ease before desperation gets the better of him.
Les Dennis is wonderful as the Hospital Ghost and Lionel Ferguson. The legendary entertainer makes no attempt to steal the spotlight of his peers, but his memorable number, You Gotta Let Go Now, is delivered with a Disney-like charm that immediately leaves you grinning.
Unforgettable is Jacqui Dubois’ take on Oda Mae Brown. Stepping into the shoes of Whoopi Goldberg is no small feat, but her comedic timing and commanding stage presence bring such a vibrant essence to the medium. Her Are You a Believer? and I’m Outta Here numbers infuse the show with much-needed levity, balancing the heaviness of Sam and Molly’s journey with laugh-out-loud moments.
While the score, co-written by Eurythmics’ Dave Stewart, doesn’t always hit the mark for me – opening track Here Right Now lacking the energy one might hope for to set the show’s tone, and Three Little Words feeling somewhat awkward – other songs more than make up for it. More, performed by Carl and company, brings a catchier energy and great choreography to match, while Focus from Garry Lee’s Subway Ghost was an enjoyable detour from the central narrative.
The most heart-wrenching moment comes in the final scene, as Sam and Molly share their final embrace. Their gorgeous execution of Unchained Melody, paired with the wonderful technical aspects, such as Nick Richings’ lighting design, make this quite the tear-jerking finale.
Ghost The Musical does a wonderful job at honouring the much-loved movie while delivering something fresh and exciting for stage, which makes it a joy to watch whether you’ve seen the film or not. Romantic, dark and emotional, it dances across the spectrum of genres and manages to be a supernatural-thriller-romantic-comedy all at once, with a talented cast that do a brilliant job at telling the story.
You can catch Ghost The Musical at The Regent Theatre this week, until Saturday, November 16 with tickets from £15.
