Press tickets for review

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Ghost the Musical is on at Curve Leicester until Saturday, 12 October, and it’s great show for fans of the movie. It’s been 34 years since the world first saw Demi Moore and Patrick Swayze share that iconic pottery scene, but this stage adaptation brings new life to the classic film in a way that’s fresh.

Rebekah Lowings (Molly) and Joshua St. Clair (Sam) deliver phenomenal vocal performances, filling the stage with emotion. Their chemistry is palpable, and St. Clair’s portrayal of Sam is particularly moving as he navigates his afterlife struggles and remains a presence in every, if not nearly every, scene. While Lowings sings beautifully, her initial excitement about Molly’s new life with Sam feels a bit underplayed and the first rendition of Unchained Melody felt it needed more romance less joking.

Les Dennis as the Hospital Ghost is brilliant. I don’t think anybody else could’ve pulled off a jokey scene right after Sam’s death. Despite Dennis being incredible, the scene did feel clunky and diminished the emotional impact the death could’ve had. But, Dennis is nothing short of fantastic, and his scenes are both comedic. Les Dennis is a class act.

Wade Lewin also deserves special mention for his role as the Subway Ghost. His scenes are incredibly effective, with precise timing and choreography that bring an extra layer of excitement to the show. The way the production handles the transitions between life and death, particularly in these subway scenes, is visually striking and cleverly executed, balanced with an ensemble who are oblivious to the action.

The music, while occasionally nodding to Unchained Melody, mostly impresses in its original numbers, Jacqui Dubois (Oda Mae Brown)’s hilarious “I’m Outta Here.” brings welcome lightness and is a real show highlight. Throughout, Dubois is hilarious and my absolute favourite of the night. Her scenes with Sam are filled with spirit and platonic chemistry, and not once did I see her look in his direction!

Lighting is used cleverly to signify shifts between the real world and the afterlife, while the transitions between the scenes are most swift, but sometimes clunky. Though, I felt the staging could’ve offered much more of an impactful and interesting New York.

In short, Ghost the Musical isn’t just a faithful retelling of a beloved film—it’s a great show in its own right. With an incredible cast, and a powerful story, this production is sure to cause a tear prick or two. Catch it at Curve Leicester before it finishes on Saturday!