GHOST THE MUSICAL (UK Tour) Review December 2013

There's nothing that the Birmingham New Alexandra Theatre do better than delight the city, offering a large musical production around Christmas time each year. Always an alternative to pantomime, previous December offerings have included Spamalot, Grease, Dolly Parton's 9 To 5 and this year Ghost The Musical. 

Definitely the most ambitious and perhaps the most exciting production to play at the theatre this year, there is great expectation and as with the five previous times I've seen it, Ghost The Musical never fails to disappoint. 

For those that are unfamiliar with the story (and that must be very few...) Sam Wheat is murdered, leaving heartbroken girlfriend Molly Jensen behind to pick up the pieces with the help of the questionable psychic medium Oda Mae Brown. 

Stewart Clarke, Rebecca Trehearn and David Roberts

Solihull-born Stewart Clarke admirably rises to the challenges of being Sam. There is a broken interaction between the character and everyone else in the show - for Sam is dead and no one can see him. Clarke however manages to connect with both fellow cast and audience and does so by delivering incredibly heartfelt tender moments amongst angrier moments requiring a strong vocal belt. 

Other heartfelt moments are provided aplenty by Rebecca Trehearn as Molly. Beautiful ballads With You and Nothing Stops Another Day both showcase and compliment her voice. David Roberts is a deceitful Carl, originally likeable but soon enough a boo-able baddie... but this is far from a pantomime!

Keisha Atwell, Wendy Mae Brown and Karlene Wray

Comedy moments are not sidelined however - Wendy Mae Brown as psychic Oda Mae Brown is a sparkling jewel in this production. Outrageous costumes and a badass attitude ensure all focus is towards her and she is worthy in receipt of rapturous applause by the curtain call. Her numbers Are You A Believer and I'm Outta Here are both lively injections of fun to the otherwise tragic events. 

Wendy Mae Brown, Stewart Clarke and Lewis Griffiths

I admire a huge effort that goes on behind the scenes of Ghost, with a record get-in period that spans three days (and nights), miles of cable and 7 automated LED video screens. The illusions by Paul Kieve are mind-blowing, but I must recommend sitting in the centre of the auditorium for maximum effect when viewing for the first time. Unfortunately, sitting to the far sides and close to the stage will have an impact on the magic's effectiveness. The angle of far side seats will result in illusions becoming blocked by set pieces and ensemble members who are stood in the way. 

The orchestration is most powerful and there is a strong, soon familiar soundtrack to the show. The sound levels do alter quite dramatically, sometimes randomly with many of the earlier songs strangely quiet. Despite niggles with ambitious technology it is important that theatrical boundaries are pushed and with many new musicals failing to succeed greatly in the West End here is a show that has enjoyed a 15 month run at London's Piccadilly Theatre, Broadway and US national tour with productions also in Italy and South Korea. Whilst in Birmingham at the New Alexandra Theatre you mustn't miss your chance to believe in the power of love. Buy tickets here. An ideal alternative to pantomime which runs until Sunday 5th January 2014.

Cast List: Stewart Clarke, Rebecca Trehearn, Wendy Mae Brown, David Roberts, Ivan De Freitas, Stevie Hutchinson, Karlene Wray, Keisha Atwell, Maeve Byrne, Michael Cortez, Kimmy Edwards, Gabriela Garcia, Lewis Griffiths, Bradley Jaden, Gregor Stewart, Amy Webb, Amy West, Luke Wilson, Jaye Juliette Elster, Livvy Evans, Robert Knight and Michael Stewart.

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GHOST THE MUSICAL (UK Tour) Review June 2013

Ghost The Musical is the stage adaptation of the 1990 film which everyone has seen.... surely? If you haven't, the musical stays loyal to the heart-breaking story of Molly Jensen (Rebecca Trehearn) and her boyfriend Sam Wheat (Stewart Clarke) who is shot and killed in a New York alleyway. Seemingly a random attack at first, Sam (who's ghost is trapped between worlds) seeks the help of psychic medium Oda Mae Brown to discover the reason behind his murder and ultimately to prove his love to Molly. 

From the moment the overture blasts out it is quite clear that this is no budgeted mockery of the film trying to cash in with it's many fans. Ambitious technology is at the forefront of the production and the many screens, projectors and ever changing scenery help to re-create the effects which are so easily achieved in the film on stage. Yes, Sam certainly walks through the door!

Stewart Clarke is a mightily impressive Sam, much angrier than previous castings, he makes clear the torment and confusion of being trapped between the human world and the afterlife. Not only admiral sensitivity in the subtle ballads but belting powerfully the bigger, angrier numbers such as I Had A Life.  Rebecca Trehearn (who had previously understudied the role in the London production) leads as Molly and has a seemingly exhausting job. The music by Eurythmics Dave Stewart and Glen Ballard is a demanding sing. Trehearn pours her heart into With You and Nothing Stops Another Day which had much of the audience quivering wrecks before the heart-rending final scene.

For the role of Oda Mae Brown in the movie, Whoopi Goldberg won the Academy Award for best supporting actress, London's Sharon D. Clarke and Broadway's Da'Vine Joy Randolph were both nominated for same award at the Olivier and Tony Awards. If there was such a thing as the UK Touring Awards Wendy Mae Brown would most definitely be nominated too. Oda Mae Brown is the most infectious character and steals every scene she is in. This comedy role is most definitely needed to take away from the heartbreak of most of the other scenes. Together with sisters Clara and Louise (Karlene Wray and Keisha Atwell) and Maeve Byrne as Mrs Santiago, the psychic parlour scenes are filled with laugh-out-loud moments. Oda Mae's disco number towards the end - I'm Outta Here is perhaps the musical highlight of the show, where she envisages the many things she plans on doing with the ten million dollar cheque she has just withdrawn from the bank. (You can read my interview with Wendy here.) 

David Roberts is a deceitful Carl Bruner - Sam's best friend, for a while... Likeable at first and then suitably twisted as the plot thickens revealing his secret. Ivan De Freitas reprises his role from the London production as hit-man Willie Lopez which he plays with extreme sliminess. Stevie Hutchinson is impressive as the acrobatic Subway Ghost. The ensemble are all on fine form and work Ashley Wallen's exciting, disjointed current choreography well and provide excellent eerie harmonies. 

The show is testament to not only the cast but the incredible crew who worked around the clock to take Ghost from Edinburgh to Wolverhampton in just three days. It is a difficult job to ensure Paul Kieve's illusions work perfectly and the amount of technical equipment required means that 21 production staff are on hand. (Find out more behind the scenes here.) 

Ghost is an incredible theatrical experience unlike any other. Visually spectacular and will continue to reduce audiences to tears for it's entire run. Tickets are in high demand at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, you cannot miss out on the Midlands premiere of what has to be the biggest West End production to visit the region - BOOK HERE. Playing until 15th June 2013.

Social Media was overflowing with responses to last nights opening show. Here are a selection of the casts comments!

You were amazing @wolvesgrand simply the best opening night so far and a superb reception after the show from the friends of the theatre.
— GHOST The Musical (@ghostontour) June 5, 2013

What a lovely crowd @wolvesgrand this evening. Thanks for your kind words, looking forward to the next couple of weeks!
— Rebecca Trehearn (@RebeccaTrehearn) June 4, 2013

Great opening tonight in Wolverhampton with top audience - thanks for the lovely welcome/reception from the @wolvesgrand
— Stewart Clarke (@StewClarke) June 4, 2013

Great being back at the Grand Wolverhampton! Just soundcheckedfor @ghostontour's opening tonight. You'll all be believers by then .....!
— Wendy Mae Brown (@WendyMaeBrown) June 4, 2013

With Michael Cortez, Maeve Byrne, Amy West, Gregor Stewart, Wendy Mae Brown and Rebecca Trehearn

Cast List: Stewart Clarke, Rebecca Trehearn, Wendy Mae Brown, David Roberts, Ivan De Freitas, Stevie Hutchinson, Karlene Wray, Keisha Atwell, Maeve Byrne, Michael Cortez, Kimmy Edwards, Gabriela Garcia, Lewis Griffiths, Bradley Jaden, Gregor Stewart, Amy Webb, Amy West, Luke Wilson, Jaye Juliette Elster, Livvy Evans, Robert Knight and Michael Stewart. 

GHOST THE MUSICAL (UK Tour) Cast Announcement

GHOST THE MUSICAL ANNOUNCES UK TOUR CAST

Yesterday rehearsals for the 2013 UK Tour of Ghost The Musical began in London and sparked the announcement of the brand new cast.

When Ghost opened in Manchester and subsequently transferred to London, Coronation Street heartthrob Richard Fleeshman (Sam) and Caissie Levy (Molly) received high praise and took the show to Broadway. Sharon D. Clarke (Oda Mae Brown) stayed with the production until it closed in London in October 2012.

For the 2013 UK Tour, Stewart Clarke (Loserville) will be stepping into the role of Sam Wheat, made famous in the film by Patrick Swayze. Molly Jensen will be played by Rebecca Trehearn who understudied the role in London at the Piccadilly Theatre and the coincidently named Wendy Mae Brown (Porgy And Bess) will be the phoney psychic Oda Mae Brown.

David Roberts will play Carl and Stevie Hutchinson joins as the Subway Ghost. Oda Mae's Sisters will be played by Karlene Wray (Clara) and Keisha Atwell (Louise). Reprising his role from the London production Ivan De Freitas will be Willie Lopez.

Ensemble members include Michael Cortez, Bradley Jaden, Luke Wilson, Gregor Stewart, Nick Hayes, Maeve Byrne, Amy West, Kimmy Edwards, Gabriela Garcia and Amy Webb.

Swings are Livvy Evans, Michael Stewart, Robert Knight and Jaye Juliette Elster.

Also revealed is that the set has been redesigned since the Manchester/London production and the tour will feature brand new illusions.

Ghost The Musical makes its Midlands premiere at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre in June.

CLICK TO BOOK HERE