Ghost The Musical, A Refreshing Retake On A Classic At The Churchill Theatre In Bromley

For fans, like myself, of Ghost, one of the biggest 1990s blockbusters, I was sceptical about how it would work as not only a stage show but a musical.

But it did not disappoint. The whole crew brilliantly resurrected this timeless love story, leaving the audience as equally heartbroken and nearly in tears as the film did.

It is just as heartbreaking as the film. Picture: Alastair Muir

The UK tour of Ghost the Musical opened its four-night stint at the Churchill Theatre in Bromley last night (January 22) to a packed-out audience.

The show follows the romance between Sam Wheat (Josh St. Clair) and his girlfriend, Molly (Rebekah Lowings), who is left heartbroken when Sam is murdered by a mugger on the walk back to their Manhattan apartment.

When Sam realises he has died and is somehow stuck between the world of the living and the dead, he enlists the help of a psychic medium, Oda Mae Brown (Jacqui Dubois), to communicate with Molly and keep her safe.

The two leads were brilliant and instantly made the audience fall in love with their characters and become invested in their relationship before it was cruelly ended too soon.

James Mateo-Salt made the perfect villain in his role as Sam’s best friend and co-worker Carl Burner alongside thug Willie Lopez, played by Jules Brown.

James Mateo-Salt makes the perfect villain as Carl Bruner. Picture: Alastair Muir

Jacqui Dubois stole the show. Picture: Alastair Muir

However, for me, Dubois stole the show with her hilarious version of Oda Mae Brown bringing some comedic relief to the otherwise tragic love story.

Her psychic assistants Clara (Tanisha Butterfield) and Louise (Keiahna Jackson-Jones) were equally funny and excellent characters.

I wondered if anyone could match the iconic Whoopi Goldberg’s performance but Dubois completely embodied the role while making it her own.

A special mention must also be made to Garry Lee who received an extra loud applause from the crowd for his part as the fierce Subway Ghost.

I was curious about how the supernatural elements would work as a theatre production without the use of special effects and camera trickery but it was incredibly clever with fake bodies seemingly appearing out of nowhere and items moving on their own.

The musical recreates the iconic pottery scene. Picture: Alastair Muir

The supernatural elements were cleverly executed. Picture: Alastair Muir

Adapted from the original 2011 musical into its current version in 2016, the show features a score of original songs written by Eurythmics’ Dave Stewart, including Three Little Words, Are You A Believer? and Life Turns On A Dime.

Fans of the 1990 Academy Award-winning film, starring Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore, will also recognise the Righteous Brothers’ hit, Unchained Melody.

It was executed brilliantly and felt similar enough to the film to keep fans of the original happy with the infamous pottery wheel scene and Ditto line while giving it a new lease of life.