Review: Ghost The Musical at The Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham

★★★★☆

Based on the hit Paramount Pictures film, written by Bruce Joel Rubin, Ghost: The Musical is an adaption of the screenplay for stage, with book and lyrics by Rubin, directed by Bob Tomson. Marking its fourth UK tour since the musical's world premiere in Manchester in 2011, Ghost is one in a trend of productions that takes a nineties or early noughties film and adapts it from screen to stage in musical form.

Those familiar with the original movie will find the story mostly unaltered in this musical adaptation, and therefore all their favourite scenes, the dark twists, and the familiar, much-loved characters are captured well. Jacqui Dubois, in particular, who plays the iconic Whoopi Goldberg role of Oda Mae Brown – the reluctant psychic who helps the lead, Sam – has big shoes to fill but does so perfectly; hitting all the comedy points hard, and captivating audiences with her mannerisms and vocals.

The musical features an original score (music and lyrics by Dave Stewart and Glen Ballard), aside from the familiar ‘Unchained Melody’ (courtesy of Unchained Melody Publishing LLC) which is immediately recognisable and emblematic of the original film, and indeed many later recreations of the iconic pottery wheel scene.

The original music features a mix of different styles, including songs that reflect the bustle of New York City and gospel-style songs from Oda Mae Brown that inject energy into the production. Due to the sentiment and emotional nature of the production, the songs are predominately ballad heavy so there are few I would immediately want on repeat alongside other showtunes, however, they do well to capture the heartbreak and betrayal threaded throughout the story. Diction is also more important when the songs are less familiar to audiences, and in some cases, lyrics were unfortunately lost beneath the band.

Perhaps this musical’s most impressive element is how the ghosts are portrayed, with intriguing and clever ghostly illusions (Richard Pinner) and thoughtful choreography (Alistair David).

While Ghost: The Musical might not become an immediate personal favourite, the production is ideal for firm fans of the original film starring Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore, capturing the tenderness, emotion, humour and grittiness of the story.  

Ghost The Musical runs at The Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham until Saturday 5th April; best available performances: Wednesday 2nd April, 2.30pm & 7.30pm and Thursday 3rd April 7.30pm.

This review was written following a press invite to the production.

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