Ghost The Musical, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre - review with pictures

The 2019 UK tour from Bill Kenwright remains true to the original Oscar-winning 1990 movie starring Demi Moore and Patrick Swayze, which enchanted the world before the stage adaptation of 2011.

It’s a heart-wrenching tale of lovers Molly and Sam, parted by his untimely death at the hands of a brutal street thug, or so it seems. Trapped between this world and the next, Sam struggles to return to avenge his demise and keep Molly safe from harm at the hands of his supposed best friend.

WATCH: Behind the scenes at Ghost the musical

Some say that Ghost is a modern take on Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Carousel. I would agree, but with a few story deviations. But one thing is for sure; our morbid fascination with what happens to us after we die is mystifying. The storyline plays on the most basic, raw and distressing of human emotions and yet we are captivated.

Previous stage versions featured cutting-edge technology and futuristic theatre effects and in the main, this production offers similar, but scaled down. The illusions were clever and effective and the lighting and scene changes were stunning too, thanks to a highly proficient team of back stage designers and technicians who played as big a part in the success of this show as the actors.

The score is courtesy of record producer and singer songwriter, Dave Stewart of Eurythmics fame and although there are a couple of outstanding moments, you are unlikely to recognise or remember the music.

That said, it was performed to perfection by the seven-piece band under the strict musical direction of Leigh Thompson.

The show is vocally demanding for the two leading characters to say the least, but Niall Sheehy as Sam certainly rises to the challenge with, if you pardon the pun, a performance to die for. His dramatic ability, fused with total frustration at not being able to be seen or heard, matched his vocals to create an excellent execution of the leading role.

Understudy Charlotte-Kate Warren took the opportunity to shine in the role of Molly, taking over from Rebekah Lowings and broke our hearts with her version of one of most emotional songs in modern musical theatre, With You. Again, her vocals were exceptional and she was every inch the grieving lover.

Sergio Pasquariello was unpleasant and obnoxious as the devious Carl, and yet again had an excellent voice.

There were some entertaining cameos from James Earl Adair who gave an experienced, easy on the eye performance as the Hospital Ghost and comedy courtesy of Kage Douglas as Orlando, a husband whose wife wishes to contact him in the afterlife.

Jules Brown was loathsome as the villain Willy Lopez, but my favourite ghostly goings on were courtesy of Lovonne Richards, the Subway Ghost who completely changed the atmosphere in the theatre as he depicted the darker side of death.

Amid all the doom and gloom, West End star, Jacqui Dubois lifted the proceedings massively with her portrayal of dubious psychic, Ode Mae Brown, taking the role made so famous by the incomparable Whoopi Goldberg and completely making it her own. Who would expect to laugh raucously during such a sad tale? Well not me for one, but her performance is hilarious!

The small ensemble was young, energetic and extraordinarily talented, romping from scene to scene, character to character at an amazing pace. It was quite interesting to see that even though there was only a dozen or so members in the whole company, it constantly felt like the stage was busting with action.

Fans of the original will not be disappointed, as this talented cast certainly stirred the emotions, creating a feeling of hope for anyone who has lost someone.

The final scene depicted something we all long for after the death of a close one and brought the whole show to a sanguine finale offering optimism and assurance that it doesn’t all end here.

Simply out of this world. Runs until January 26. 01902 429212 or www.grandtheatre.co.uk for tickets.