Stewart Clarke and Rebecca Trehearn in Ghost the Musical. Picture: Sean Ebsworth Barnes
Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff, then touring until January 2014.
Ghost the Musical is a theatrical masterclass in translating emotion, so be prepared to shed a few tears but still have a few laughs.
Set in New York, the musical naturally sticks to the same story as the original film – for which the show’s lyricist/librettist Bruce Joel Rubin wrote the screenplay – so fans of the movie will be satisfied. There is still the hopelessly-in-love couple Molly (Rebecca Trehearn) and Sam (Stewart Clarke), torn apart by the actions of their supposed best friend. However, the musical is able to take the film to another level as the songs reach out to the audience’s emotions (music and lyrics by Dave Stewart and Glen Ballard). They are beautifully written and merge into the plot seamlessly, although at times ‘Unchained Melody’ (music by Alex North and words from Hy Zaret) does become slightly exasperating.
Director Matthew Warchus and the creative team illustrate the story impressively through a sophisticated use of technology and illusion. It’s almost worth booking tickets again for the jaw-dropping scene on the subway or when Sam becomes a ghost.
As there is a staggering amount of visual elements to the production, there could have been trouble making the adaptations necessary for the journey from West End to touring, but thankfully the staging is just as good, if not better. There are small adjustments to Rob Howell’s set design and the opening scene seems faster paced, but overall the impact is not lost.
Although the main cast is collectively brilliant – Trehearn portrays Molly with a technically and emotionally superb performance and Wendy Mae Brown provides some comedy genius – it is the ensemble that should be applauded. These performers are vital to the progression of the plot as their slow motion moves alter the pace, and they prove essential in sustaining the cinematic quality of the piece and illustrating the high and lows of living in New York.
Lucinda Reid
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