Ghost The Musical Review
Ghost: The Musical
Piccadilly Theatre, London
Reviewed by David Savage
Cast:
Sam Wheat – Mark Evans
Molly Jensen – Siobhan Dillion
Oda Mae Brown – Sharon D Clarke
Carl Bruner – Andrew Langtree
Willie Lopez – Ivan De Freitas
Subway Ghost – Craig Stein
Hospital Ghost – Ashley Knight
Clara – Lisa Davina Philip
Louise – Jenny Fitzpatrick
Wow! What a great show. This is a highly entertaining and enjoyable musical with lots of laughs along the way. After 20 years the Oscar winning film Ghost (starring Patrick Swayze, Demi Moore and Whoppi Goldberg) has been adapted for the stage as a musical. Starring Mark Evans, Siobhan Dillion and Sharon D Clarke this is a must see show even if you are not a lover of musicals. Music and lyrics by Dave Stewart (Eurythmics).
We arrived at the Piccadilly Theatre in London’s Theatre District to see Ghost the Musical and despite being a Tuesday night I could not see an empty seat in the house, showing just how popular this show is. We were greeted by very friendly, efficient and polite staff at this grand old theatre. After being shown to our seats the noise settled down and the show began…
Ghost is a story of love and how after death the main character remains as a ghost as he refuses to believe he is dead. Having seen the original film I wondered how they would recreate the ghostly illusions on the stage. They managed to create these illusions brilliantly with state-of-the-art video, projections and very cunning misdirection. I am still left wondering how on a couple of occasions when a character dies you see their body on the ground but seconds later you see the actor playing the part standing on the other side of the stage without seeing him move.
This show has been very well put together with the moving stages, use of technology, illusions and special effects and the slow motion, acrobatic fight scenes are just fantastic. The special effects and moving stages recreate subway trains, Wall Street offices and apartments. They even manage to show a ghost rising out of a body in the hospital and the good and bad spirits coming to take the soles of the dead. I am used to seeing these effects on film but to see them in a live stage show is magical and will leave audiences amazed.
Despite the sadness of the story there are lots of comedy moments throughout including an Elvis impersonation during the first performance of Unchained Melody.
The cast is very strong with great, well-acted performances by all, but in my opinion Sharon D Clarke who plays the part of Oda Mae Brown (the Whoopi Goldberg part in the original film) stole the show with her excellent voice and very funny performance. Some of the dance scenes are very high energy and the musical numbers are performed very well by strong voices especially from Siobhan Dillion and Sharon D Clarke.
Having seen the original film and now the stage musical, I much prefer the stage version and the special effects and illusions are absolutely brilliant. This show will leave you amazed.
I highly recommend that you see this show. Whether or not you have seen the film or know the story you will not be disappointed. Highly entertaining.
Rating: 5/5 
LISTINGS INFORMATION
Dates Currently booking until 20 April 2012
Address Piccadilly Theatre, Denman Street, London W1D 7DY
Performance schedule Monday – Saturday at 7.30pm, Thursday & Saturday matinees at 2.30pm
Box Office 0844 871 7618
Ticket prices £25 – £67.50
Website www.ghostthemusical.com
