Theatre Review: Ghost – The Lowry: High quality show is no apparition

Was there ever a film more genre-defining than Oscar award-winning chick flick Ghost?

The film, with its tear-jerking pottery-wheel scene will go down in history as one of the greatest movies of all-time, launching the Righteous Brothers’ Unchained Melody to the top of the charts and making Demi Moore the highest paid actress in the world.

In 2011, two decades after its cinema release, Ghost was adapted for the stage as a musical in London’s West End.

Now, six years after it was first performed in Manchester, Ghost – The Musical has returned and it certainly doesn’t disappoint.

An interesting adaptation of the film – which saw a handsome Patrick Swayze melt the hearts of women everywhere – the show is full of strong, lively characters who don’t stop singing and jiving around the stage until the lights come up.

Sam (Andy Moss, Hollyoaks) and Molly (Carolyn Maitland, Miss Saigon) portray an enduring and tragic love so strong it’s unbreakable even in death and their scenes together are each as emotional as the next.

Even though the audience aches for Molly and Sam’s characters, the intervals of energetic comedy scenes from Oda May (Jacqui Dubois) are so hilarious, she quickly steals the show.

Oda’s quick wit and shameful foolery cause loud roars and belly laughs from the audience, even at the darkest parts of the show.

Her scene with Mrs Santiago’s crystal-ball reading is one of the most memorable scenes as the crook comically speaks to her husband from beyond the grave then is terrified when Sam’s ghost successfully contacts her.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, Subway Ghost, played by Garry Lee Netley, is so petrifying he could have come right from a horror film with his poltergeist skills of moving people and things and bone-shaking roar.

Aside from the unforgettable casting, the use of illusion – centred firmly on the supernatural – actually makes the paranormal goings-on, for example floating objects, sealed doors and the gates of heaven, happen on stage.

As Sam and Molly’s relationship becomes ‘unchained’ in their pottery wheel scene, a stillness floats over the audience and people all around are shyly wiping away tears.

The young couple, who have just moved into their first flat together, are so in love, one of the rawest human emotions, and when they are separated by a botched theft-turned-murder, the aching pain is relatable and harrowing.

The production, which ends its tour at The Lowry, Salford tomorrow (Saturday, April 29) is unmissable. Last-minute tickets are available online.

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