Photo: Jeff Busby
Movie fans will think they’ve died and gone to heaven with this musical reimagining of the beloved 1990 blockbuster, Ghost. Although parts of the show feel overwhelming with too much light and too much noise, Ghost definitely delivers what it promises – stunning visual effects, a heartwarming story, and a fastidious recreation of its Academy-Award-winning predecessor.
Ghost follows the story of Sam Wheat (Rob Mills), a high-flying New York banker who, after a ‘mugging’ gone wrong, is trapped between life and death. He must find a way to tell his girlfriend Molly (Jemma Rix) that she is in danger before it’s too late, with the help of sometimes-con-artist-sometimes-psychic Oda Mae Brown (Wendy Mae Brown). Aside from the added musical numbers and a few altered details, the script is remarkably close to the original movie, which will please diehard fans but may disappoint those looking for some added scenes or a deeper plot.
The music is surprisingly gritty, with elements of rock and hip-hop integrated with the more predictable ballads and, of course, ‘Unchained Melody’ in many different variations. In true cinematic style the volume of the soundtrack is high in this production, at times so much so that you unfortunately can’t hear the dialogue or follow the soloists. David Denis, playing the Subway Ghost, is particularly gypped by this, as his hip-hop number ‘Focus’ is very difficult to hear and appreciate with the deafening sound effects.
The cast of Ghost do a remarkable job with a challenging script; contending with such complex illusions and special effects is no small feat. Rob Mills once again proves his naysayers wrong, playing the role of Sam with intelligence and impressive vocal power, and maintaining a strong chemistry with Jemma Rix. Rix, as always, delivers a pitch-perfect, emotive and heated performance, but occasionally her American accent feels exaggerated and nasal.
Wendy Mae Brown, playing Oda Mae Brown, is certainly the crowd favourite; how could she not be with her humour, soulful vocals and fabulous costumes? The role of Oda Mae is an easy one to love, but Wendy brings her own flavor and enthusiasm that would be difficult to match.
As promised by the advertisements and the hype, the visual effects are above any that have graced the Australian musical theatre stage. Using a mix of creative lighting, illusion and misdirection, Rob Mills and his ghostly cohort seem to exist on a completely different plane to those still living. However, the blinding lights bordering the stage, although sometimes utilised well to create incredible effects, are definitely overused. Often used for emphasis during key scenes, the lights actually make it almost impossible to look at the stage during some important moments.
This reincarnation of Ghost, while not yet flawless, is impressive in all the ways that matter; its casting is spot-on, its script is enjoyable, and it brings a new kind of magic to the stage with its projections and special effects. Whether you’re a musical theatre lover or just a Swayze tragic, this is one not to miss.
Rating: 4 stars out of 5
Ghost
Directed by Matthew Warchus
Book and lyrics by Bruce Joel Rubin
Music and lyrics by Dave Stewart and Glen Ballard
Starring Rob Mills, Jemma Rix, Wendy Mae Brown and Alex Rathgeber
Adelaide Festival Centre – Festival Theatre 7-31 Jan 2016
