Photo credit Alastair Muir
The Regent Theatre welcomes ‘Ghost The Musical’ this week on the latest leg of the UK tour for 2024. Bruce Joel Rubin won an Oscar for the screenplay from the 1990’s smash hit and he has adapted it for the production.
Directed by Bob Tomson and with music and lyrics co-written by Eurythmics Dave Stewart, it tells the story of Sam, walking with his girlfriend Molly back to their apartment late one night. A tragic encounter sees Sam murdered and his beloved Molly alone, in despair and utterly lost. With the help of a phony storefront psychic, Sam, trapped between this world and the next, tries to communicate with Molly in the hope of saving her from grave danger.
It translates brilliantly to the stage, adding an extra dimension to the tragic love story and adding a modern reboot to the setting.
Rebekah Lowings reprises her role as Molly Jenson, having previously played the role before. Josh St. Clair stars alongside as Sam Wheat. Both have fantastic on-stage chemistry and deliver amazing performances as the tormented soul Sam and grieving Molly, they were captivating. Lowings was responsible for one of the two stand-out vocal performances of the night, especially the hauntingly emotional ‘With You’.
Jacqui Dubois is another returnee to the role as Oda Mae Brown. Great vocals, a huge presence on stage and bringing some moments of humour to the action (‘I’m Outta Here’ a prime example) all culminate in a fantastic performance. James Mateo-Salt also adds to the strong vocal performances as Carl Brunner.
TV favourite Les Dennis plays Hospital Ghost/Lionel Ferguson having previously had roles in musicals ’42 Street’, ‘Hairspray’ and ‘Only Fools and Horses’.
The combination of staging (Mark Bailey), lighting (Nick Richings) and illusion (Richard Pinner) is pivotal. With the clever transitions the characters take into the afterlife and back, to the hugely impressive scene in the subway along with the precise choreography.
Whether you are experiencing the Ghost phenomenon for the first time, have seen the musical before, or totally new to the screen or stage version, I’m sure you will absolutely love this. You’ll be engrossed, you’ll cry and you will be mesmerised.
The show is on until Saturday 16th with several matinee performances. Tickets are on sale from the box office or online at https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/ghost-the-musical/regent-theatre/
