EntertainmentTheatre

Ghost the Musical at the Aylesbury Waterside Theatre Review

Reviewed by Louise Styles

Ghost the Musical is an absolute rollercoaster of emotions that will have you laughing and crying in your seat. Running from the 18-22 April at 2017 Aylesbury’s Waterside Theatre, this stage version of the well-known 90s film was a really gripping and emotionally immersive journey.

The original 1990 film ‘Ghost’ starring Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore was a huge romantic hit, and having been only 8 at the time of release, I only had a vague recollection of the story from ploughing through my mum’s DVD collection in my early teens. The stage version has been bought right up to date whilst retaining the essence of the original story – it even features a selfie stick!

Molly and Sam are played by Carolyn Maitland and Andy Moss. Carolyn has an impressive list of theatre credits to her name including Miss Saigon, Fame and Mamma Mia! As does Andy with TV roles including Hollyoaks, Doctors and Casualty. The pair have been excellently cast together, the chemistry between them is believable and their voices match together perfectly. In all the shows I’ve been to see I don’t think I have seen a leading pair that I liked together as much as these two! Great acting, singing and emotion from them both.

The pair play a professional couple in their 30s in New York, one a banker and one a potter, buying their dream loft together in Brooklyn. Scenes flit between the stone walls and skylights of their loft to subway cars complete with its own ghost and banking offices with a stream of ensemble dancers. With the exception of the well-known Righteous Brothers track, Unchained Melody, all the other musical numbers are original to the show but fit so well into the mood and moments the characters share on stage. After losing his life, Sam remains on stage in ‘ghost form’ and from then on Carolyn’s ability to stare through Andy as if she really couldn’t see him was seamlessly kept up throughout the performance.

I think the emotion from both leads was outstanding, I really believed that they were Molly and Sam feeling the total loss of the one they loved during the show. Towards the end of the first act we are introduced to Oda Mae, originally played by Oscar winner Whoopi Goldberg and now played by Jacqui Dubois. Her performance bought laughter and relief to the audience when needed, her comical timing, facial expressions and outstanding singing voice made her every inch one of the stars of the show.

I went in to see this show with slight reservations about how much I would like it. I didn’t like it, I loved it! It was deeply emotional and covers topics most people contemplate, such as life after death, at some point. Above all it makes you want to go home and tell your loved ones how much you do love them.

Rating: 5/5

Tickets cost from £17.90 to £50.40 (plus £2.85 transaction fee).

Ghost the Musical is at the Waterside Theatre in Aylesbury from 18-22 April 2017, for more information or to book tickets visit www.atgtickets.com/aylesbury or call the box office on 0844 871 7607.

Waterside Theatre, Exchange Street, Aylesbury, Bucks, HP20 1UG | 0844 871 7607

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