Reviewed by our own Andy Sayers

You’ve probably seen the film Ghost with Patrick Swayze, Demi Moore and Whoopi Goldberg, but have you thought about seeing it live on stage? Now you can, all this week (Tues 17th – Sat 21st January) at the Orchard Theatre in Dartford.

The questions, you probably have are; Is it any different from the movie?

In the main, this Bill Kenwright production stays close to the original, with only a few tweaks to make it work for the stage, so Ghost diehard fans will be pleased.

What can you expect from the show?

The cast is amazing, Molly played by Carolyn Maitland and Andy Moss who plays Sam make the roles their own and you 100% buy into them. Watch carefully the performance of Jacqui Dubois as Oda Mae, while not on stage a lot, when she is, there is an aura around her that will bring a smile to your face. While highlighting these three, be certain, the whole cast totally deliver.

The most memorable scene from the film is the potter wheel, in the stage show, it’s there but over before you know it, however it doesn’t take away from what is a fantastic production.

This show is engaging, funny, sad and you WILL need some tissues, even the person sat next to me was crying and they had seen it 10 times!

To book tickets call the box office or visit the website  www.orchardtheatre.co.uk 

 

 

Carolyn Maitland will join Bill Kenwright's production of the timeless story of love, despair and hope, Ghost – The Musical, in the part of Molly alongside Andy Moss as Sam. Taking its inspiration from the classic movie, this innovative reimagining features an expanded book, new music and original staging, and will continue to tour the UK in 2017, starting at The Orchard Theatre in Dartford on 17 January.

 

Carolyn's musical theatre credits include 'Ellen' in Miss Saigon (Prince Edward Theatre), 'Joelle' in Groundhog Day (Old Vic), 'Rose' in From Here to Eternity (Shaftesbury Theatre) and 'Kate' in Kiss Me Kate (Old Vic, West End & Chichester).

Musician and actor Andy Moss, best known for the role of Rhys Ashworth in Channel 4's Hollyoaks, one he played for 8 years, will continue to wow audiences around the UK as 'Sam'. His credits also include Cutting It, Coronation Street and most recently he appeared as Paul Cuthbert in the long running BBC soap opera Doctors.

West End musical theatre star Jacqui Dubois (original London cast of Rent and Children of Eden, other credits include The Lion King, Fela and most recently People, Places and Things ) plays 'Oda Mae Brown', the part made famous in the film by Whoopi Goldberg. Sam Ferriday (Jersey Boys, Blue Man Group, The Prodigals) plays 'Carl', alongside Leo Sene as 'Willie', James Earl Adair haunting proceedings as the 'Hospital Ghost', and Gary Lee Netley as the 'Subway Ghost'. Tarisha Rommick plays 'Louise' and Simbi Akande 'Clara'. Completing the cast is Lori Baker, Ethan Bradshaw, Lauren Drew, Matthew Vinetot, Mike Ward and Kelly Hampson.

The Double Academy Award winning movie is a huge success story, both critically and at the box office, where it was the highest grossing film in the year of its release. It starred the late Patrick Swayze, Demi Moore, Tony Goldwyn and Whoopi Goldberg and was directed by Jerry Zucker. Bruce Joel Rubin's script won the Oscar® for Best Original Screenplay and Whoopi Goldberg won the Oscar® for Best Actress in a Supporting Role. The film's most iconic and moving scene was famously performed to The Righteous Brother's Unchained Melody, which also features in the musical version.

Walking back to their apartment late one night a tragic encounter sees Sam murdered and his beloved girlfriend Molly alone, in despair and utterly lost. But with the help of a phony storefront psychic, Sam, trapped between this world and the next, tries to communicate with Molly in the hope of saving her from grave danger...

Bill Kenwright said; "Ghost is a story full of hope, and is one of those films which never leaves you. The book by Bruce Joel Rubin and score by Dave Stewart and Glenn Ballad come together wonderfully in one of my favourite new musicals in years."

Bruce Joel Rubin said; "This is a show with such a strong emotional and musical life that it can mould to many visions and interpretations. It can be performed on any scale, and its vibrant heart will still captivate an audience and allows the imagination to flourish. It is purely theatrical in the greatest sense. We are very excited by the potential that the new version holds".