Birmingham/Tour.
GHOST – THE MUSICAL
book and lyrics by Bruce Joel Rubin music and lyrics by Dave Stewart and Glen Ballard.
New Alexandra Theatre Station Street B5 4DS To 5 January 2014.
2.30pm 27, 28, 31 Dec, 2, 4 Jan.
3pm 22, 29 Dec, 5 Jan.
7.30pm 23, 26-28, 31 Dec, 1-4 Jan.
Runs 2hr 30min One interval.
TICKETS: 0844 871 3011 (booking fee).
www.atgtickets.com/birmingham
Review: Jan Pick 18 December.
then Tour to 8 March 2014.
A winter warmer at the Alex – and elsewhere.
Ghost the Musical is haunting The New Alexandra Theatre over Christmas and New Year and is a very welcome antidote to the usual Christmas panto fare. Based on the 1990s film, Ghost, which garnered plaudits for Patrick Swayze, Demi Moore and Whoopi Goldberg, this show is a dazzling technical extravaganza, with music and lyrics which linger in the memory long after the final curtain.
Concern at the start that the technical wizardry might overshadow the storyline is soon dissipated, as the audience is inexorably drawn into the poignant, romantic comedy. At the heart of the show are strong performances from Rebecca Trehearn as Molly and Stewart Clarke as Sam, her lover. Trapped as a ghost between this world and the next he is desperate to protect her from the predatory Willie Lopez, his killer, played with sleazy relish by Ivan de Freitas, and their manipulative former friend, Carl Bruner – David Roberts in fine form.
Rebecca Trehearn is captivating, taking the audience with her as her life spirals into tragedy. Her voice, which is beautifully pitched, has warmth and vibrancy, and she sings her heart out for us. In equally fine voice is Stewart Clarke, who rises to the challenge of the role so closely associated with Patrick Swayze and makes it his own.
One of the many highlights is the subway train scene, which combines technical excellence with an outstanding performance from the subway ghost, Stevie Hutchinson, a bundle of resentment and anger, exploding into action whenever challenged.
And Wendy Mae Brown almost steals the show with a barnstorming turn as Oda, the fake psychic turned reluctantly real. Larger than life and colourfully dressed, she adds a welcome injection of humour into what could easily become a rather schmaltzy story, her dry, witty comments giving it an extra edge.
This sizzling, action-packed musical is a rollercoaster of emotion – funny, sad, exciting, scary. In a cold wintry Birmingham – or any of the other cities on the tour – go get your heart warmed.
Sam Wheat: Stewart Clarke.
Molly Jensen: Rebecca Trehearn.
Oda Mae Brown: Wendy Mae Brown.
Carl Bruner: David Roberts.
Willie Lopez: Ivan de Freitas.
Subway Ghost: Stevie Hutchinson.
Clara: Karlene Wray.
Louise: Keisha Atwell.
Ensemble: Maeve Byrne, Michael Cortez, Kimmy Edwards, Gabriela Garcia, Lewis Griffiths, Bradley Jaden, Gregor Stewart, Amy Webb, Amy West, Luke Wilson.
Swings: Jaye Juliette Elster, Livvy Evans, Robert Knight, Michael Stewart.
Director: Matthew Warchus.
Designer: Rob Howell.
Lighting: Hugh Vanstone, Tim Lutkin.
Sound: Bobby Aitken.
Musical Supervisor/Arranger/Orchestrator: Christopher Nightingale.
Musical Director: David Rose.
Video/Projections: Jon Driscoll.
Illusions: Paul Kieve.
Movement: Liam Steel.
Choreographer: Ashley Wallen.
Projections: Richard Clutton.
Automations: Marcus Hunt.
Dance Captain: Jaye Juliette Elster.
Associate director: Paul Warwick Griffin.
Assistant Musical director: Michael Cotton.
Assistant Dance captain: Robert Knight.
Tour:
8-18 Jan Mon-Sat 7.30pm Mat Thu & Sat 2.30pm Regent Theatre Stoke-on-Trent 0844 871 7649 www.atgtickets.com/venues/regent-theatre
21 Jan-8 Feb Mon-Sat 7.30pm Mat Thu 2pm Sat 2.30pm His Majesty’s Aberdeen 01224 641122
www.boxofficeaberdeen.com
11-22 Feb Mon-Sat 7.30pm Mat Wed & Sat 2.30pm Liverpool Empire 0844 871 3017 www.atgtickets.com/venues/liverpool-empire
25 Feb-8 March Mon-Sat 7.30pm Mat Wed & Sat 2.30pm New Theatre Oxford 0855 871 3020 www.atgtickets.com/venues/new-theatre-oxford
2013-12-22 01:30:50
