Theatre Review: Ghost the Musical - King's Theatre, Glasgow ✭✭✭✭
Based on
the beloved 1990 film of the same name featuring original music and lyrics plus
a book adapted by the original screenplay author Bruce Joel Rubin, Ghost the Musical is raw, beautiful and
completely heart-breaking.
With a
film as popular as Ghost, it's vital to remain true to the original piece and
the creators have done a superb job bringing together the familiarity of the
plot with strong original songs and a striking set. When the show opens with a
blissfully happy Molly (Rebecca Trehearn)
and Sam (Stewart Clarke) discovering
their new home it's difficult not to get a knot of dread in your stomach.
Anyone who's seen the film knows what's coming, it's like an accident you can't
tear your eyes away from.
The
opening scenes beautifully encapsulate the young lovers starting out in life
and the wonderful acoustic rendition of Unchained
Melody played with a simple guitar and lyrics to fit Molly is not only a
fitting nod to its place in the original film but also an incredibly poignant
symbol of a couple in love. Unsurprisingly, a frisson of audible excitement
rippled through the audience as Clarke removed his shirt to reveal a very
well-sculpted body but given the audience demographic for such a show it goes
with the territory.
*Warning
this next section does contain spoilers if you haven’t seen the film*
It begins
as a joyful show but soon transforms into a raw, emotional piece. Sam's
reaction to discovering he is dead is gut-wrenching and performed exquisitely
by Clarke. Molly's tremendous grief is sensitively handled by Trehearn and as
the show progresses it's clear that they must be emotionally drained at the end
of every show. The aftermath of Sam’s murder is challenging and affecting.
This is not fluffy afterlife stuff, it is human emotion at its rawest and it
makes no apology for it. The Act One closer Suspend
my Disbelief / I Had a Life leaves the audience shell-shocked at the sheer
unfairness of it all and headed straight for the bar for interval drinks to
steel the nerves.
Stewart Clarke creates a loveable Sam Wheat and the crushing despair he
portrays when Sam realises the enormity of it all is almost unbearable to
watch. Rebecca Trehearn's Molly is so dignified in her grief and her chemistry
with Clarke creates a genuine, credible couple.
As Oda
Mae Brown, Wendy Mae Brown brings
much needed light relief to what would otherwise be an emotionally overwhelming
production. She brings her own unique interpretation to Whoopi Goldberg's
iconic role and is positively scene-stealing when she's on stage.
The
energy from the whole ensemble lifts the mood with fantastic set pieces and
colourful dance routines while the incredible illusions and sleight of hand
bring another world to life on stage forcing the audience to suspend their
disbelief.
As the
show reaches its crescendo as Sam and Molly dance there's barely a dry eye left
in the house. Carl's demise is almost perfunctory in the wake of such soaring
emotion. The powerful finale is understandably punctuated by heavy, unashamed
sobs from the emotionally wrecked audience and Sam finally kissing Molly one
last time prompted spontaneous applause to ripple through the theatre. This
magical production will leave you emotionally bruised but strangely uplifted. Seeing is believing and it’s clear that Glasgow believes.
Catch it
at the King's Theatre until 19th October - don't forget tissues, you have been
warned!
For tickets and information visit www.atgtickets.com/Glasgow
