REVIEW: GHOST The Musical at Sunderland Empire

Bill Kenwright presents

GHOST The Musical

Sunderland Empire Theatre

Until Saturday 16^th March 2019

Tickets: http://bit.ly/GHOSTmusical #Ad

Ghost The Musical is yet another theatre show based upon a film. This time it’s the iconic 1990 Paramount Pictures film Ghost starring Patrick Swayze, Demi Moore and Whoopi Goldberg. This is the second outing for Ghost The Musical and Kenwright’s production seems to strip back the big effects and illusions and focus more on the films central themes, characters and love story.

Whilst the narrative is fairly quick the show does take some time to get going. Sam Wheat is in love with Molly Jensen. However, early on we see Sam is murdered whilst on his way home from an Art exhibition with Molly. The Ghost of Sam must enlist the help of a reluctant and questionable medium Oda Mae Brown. I don’t want to reveal too much of the narrative for those who may not have seen the original movie version as there is a twist which had some of the audience audibly gasping.

Rebekah Lowings (Molly) and Niall Sheehy (Sam) have great chemistry as the story’s central characters and make for a very engaging couple. It really shows in the iconic pottery scene and both have wonderful singing voices. Molly’s number With You was a real tear-jerker and was sang with raw and tender emotion. Jacqui Dubois who plays Psychic medium Oda Mae Brown is one of the shows real highlights for me, her numbers, Are You  A Believer and I’m Outta Here are knockout showstoppers and it shows in the finale when Jacqui receives the biggest cheer from the packed out empire audience.

A special mention should also go to Lovonne Richards who plays the Subway Ghost. He was truly commanding and terrifying in his scenes which were amongst my favourite of the show.

Whilst I personally feel the show is now lacking some of the impressive effects that made the show so popular the first time round it’s impossible to deny that this production really tugs on the heartstrings. It’s an emotional rollercoaster of true love that transcends the living and the dead and in its final scenes that the majority of the audience were in tears.

Creatives:

Bill Kenwright presents Ghost – The Musical

Book and lyrics By Bruce Joel Rubin

Music and lyrics By Dave Stewart and Glen Ballard

Based on the Paramount Pictures film written by Bruce Joel Rubin

Directed by Bob Tomson

Choreographed by Alistair David

Designed by Mark Bailey

Lighting Designed by Nick Richings

Sound Designed by Dan Samson

Review: Stephen Sullivan

Photos: Pamela Raith Photography

Tickets available from the Box Office on High Street West or online from our affiliate ATG Tickets: http://bit.ly/GhostSund. #Ad