Book and Lyrics: Bruce Joel Rubin
Music and Lyrics: Dave Stewart and Glen Ballard
Director: Bob Tomson
“Oh my love, my darling, I’ve hungered for your touch”
If these lyrics don’t immediately conjure the image of a young Patrick Swayze gently cradling Demi Moore and 
a pottery wheel, then you might have been living under a rock for the last 35 years. Ghost the Musical has brought this classic back to life, refreshed for the stage.
The story of Ghost follows Sam Wheat and his partner Molly Jenson, a young couple very much in love, living in New York City (or Brooklyn, rather). Life seems to be perfect until a chance mugging turns into brutal murder, and Sam finds himself staring down at his own lifeless body. Wandering lost through the city, Sam thinks he’s lost all hope when suddenly a less-than-trustworthy psychic (Oda Mae Brown) hears his voice. This unlikely pair are forced together, but will they be able to solve whatever unfinished business is keeping Sam in limbo?
Rebekah Lowings as Molly has a standout voice in this production, blending her princess-like belt with a guttural power that brings the experience of grief viscerally to her song With You. She’s paired with Josh St. Clair as Sam, who starts off as a strong, rocker-type but descends into flimsy feebleness as the character gets closer to his ultimate ending. Their best friend and colleague of Sam, Carl, is played in this tour by James Mateo-Salt but Jamie Pritchard stepped in on this show. Pritchard has the energy of a 90s Rick Moranis or Bobcat Goldthwait, about to teeter off the edge at any time. Whoopi Goldberg’s character from the film, Oda Mae, is played by Jacqui Dubois, who is charmingly obstinate and makes the role her own without losing too much of the iconic character.
Mark Bailey’s design has given the 1990 film a subtle shift forward in time – although Brooklyn is still yet to be cool, there are smartphones in people’s hands and a sleek LED border around the stage, highlighting the city skyline. It’s a great musical for performers first starting out as each ensemble member has a small role that they can make their own, in addition to appearing in the big dance numbers throughout. Film fans may not have a clear vision of how Broadway-style musical theatre dance numbers could fit into this story, but the musical slides them in so that it seems almost natural. With an understudy in role and a swing onstage to cover, there are bound to be slip-ups but the cast managed this change so smoothly it was barely noticeable, aside from a few temperamental mic balance moments.
Jordan Alexander helms an excellent band that combines classic musical theatre with a little pop/rock and dutifully brings Dave Stewart and Glen Ballard’s score to life. Director Bob Tomson and Illusions designer Richard Pinner also produce some sneaky magic onstage, ensuring the ghostly elements of Ghost are captured.
Transforming a two-hour film into a two-hour musical presents unique challenges, but this version has held onto that special something that has made the movie a well-beloved classic for over 30 years. With a touching love story rooted in the 90s, newcomers to Ghost are likely to enjoy it – but this musical is destined to pluck the heartstrings of the film’s super fans.
Break out those dungarees, hunger no more: Ghost the Musical is here to make your pottery wheel spin.
Runs until 5 April 2025 and on tour
