“Ghost – The Musical” by Kristian Thomas Company
Duchess Theatre, Long Eaton

“Ghost – The Musical” follows Sam and Molly, a young couple whose lives takes a shocking turn after Sam’s untimely death. The bond of love transcends the boundaries of life itself to grow stronger and more fully realized.

Trapped between two worlds, Sam refuses to leave Molly when he learns she is in grave danger. Desperate to communicate with her, he turns to a dodgy psychic, Oda Mae Brown, who helps him protect Molly and avenge his death.

“Ghost” the movie is one of my guilty pleasures where movies are concerned, and the stage musical, which I have seen several times on both local and professional levels works so well, when in theory, it shouldn’t.

The effects that the movie utilises are incredible, and would be impossible to relate to a stage production, but there is that magic in theatre that allows a fraction of those movie effects to become “do-able” on stage.

I've always said that the lighting design and execution can make or break a production. In this case it is a vital element and is executed with split section timing. Designed by Stephen Greatorex and operated by Tom Bathurst, this is possibly the best design and use that I have ever seen for this musical, giving the maximum impact and effect on the audience, also creating the stage magic.

What you may notice as well is that along the front of the stage there are four strips of light, I don't know the technical name for these lights, but you will notice that these mirror the movements of Sam when he becomes a ghost. This works especially well when Sam is not visible on stage near the end; you know that he is sitting near Molly just by looking at the lights. A simple but incredibly effective idea.

The Sound Design is also spot on. It is loud when it needs to be, again creating drama, but never swamping the actors singing or speaking sections.Another big success for Dave Dallard.

I don't often mention the stage crew and management but in "Ghost", the rapidity and accuracy of the scene changes works exceptionally well with the design and operation of the light blackouts. This means that the scene changes happen within seconds, keeping the pace and excitement of the show flowing at speed. Bob Rushton, Lauren Johnson, Millie Gilks and Claire Collishaw are responsible for this area of expertise.

Directed by Alysha Gomes, and she must be one very proud person with this show because technically it is not an easy one, but this is a massive success. She has directed a show that is visually exciting to watch while keeping a high emotional impact on the audience. Nothing seems to have been sacrificed here, and you can see the blood, sweat and tears invested in this production. This quality is the reason why this show is sold out all week.

Musically this show goes from one extreme to the other but this is no issue when the Musical Director is Tom Bond.From the heavy rap of "Focus" to the heart wrenching ballad "With You" and the soul/gospel of "Are You A Believer",Tom and his band produce a premier sound. maybe Tom should change his name to Premium Bond.

The choreography for this show is another section where you can see a lot of hard work has been invested. Again, visually exciting, and the timings for the slow motion sections, and the impact of these sections are a joy to behold. Kristian Cunningham as Producer and Choreographer again delivers the perfect piece of theatre.

Andrew Buxton (Sam) could not have been better cast. I have seen Andrew do passion and I have seen Andrew do anger. I have not seen Andrew do passion and anger like this. He creates a special chemistry with Sam and Molly, so hot it sizzles, and we really believe that love the two characters have for each other. We also feel the heartache that they both feel when Sam is murdered. Love Sam's voice and he injects such feeling into these songs.

Anna Bond (Molly), what did you do to me, Anna? Your rendition of "With You" hit just where it should have done and I found myself welling up because of the passion and heart you delivered with, not only this song, but all the songs you sang. As previously mentioned, the chemistry between Molly and Sam was electric, and this is down to the investment of both actors.

I must also mention the final scene between these two, because yet again, I was welling up, and felt emotionally spent. i couldn't wait to get to my feet to show my personal respect to all of the wonderful actors on stage.

Chris Grantham (Carl) plays a great badman, so good in fact that when he came on to take his final bows, he was booed! Come on, this isn't panto, but this also shows that he made the audience believe the evil in this character. I also love Chris' voice; it has an earthy quality which is easy on the ear, but there is also a lot of power in those lungs as well.

Candice Shevaun Curnow (Oda Mae), you were amazing. I loved Whoopi Goldberg's creation of the crazy psychic in the film, but Candice made this character her own, oh and that voice. WOW!

Along with Ella Greenwood (Louise) and Grace Hodgett-Young (Clara), both young actors I have had the pleasure of seeing grow on stage as actors, the three of you brought the gospel party to the show. These three can take me to church any day of the week.

Tom Banks (Willie Lopez) was quite unrecognisable as the man who kills Sam in a bungled mugging. Very different to the last role that I saw Tom in as Robbie Hart in "The Wedding Singer". His voice characterisation for Willie, and his physicality of the character is what made this chameleon of an actor the talent he is.

Joe Millward must feel like going in for therapy every time he performs as the Subway Ghost because he is so angry, and releasing that anger must make him feel great after each show, as well as tired, I imagine.

Phil Stanley as the Hospital Ghost is the opposite of the Subway Ghost. Now whenever I see Phil's name in a programme, I just know that we are in for some real soulful vocals, and here they are again. Those chocolate covered, honey dripping vocals are put to wonderful use in "You Gotta Let Go Now".

This is a real ensemble show with the singing and dancing. The ensemble are crammed with so many well known local actors and they all deserve a mention.

Abby Riddell, Aiden Carson, Andy Honman, Ben Alvey, Beth Denham, Betsymae Kirkland-Ball, Charlotte Carradice, Deborah McPherson, Emily Bridge, Emily May Corner, Emma Foley, Helen Perry, Katie Lawson, Louise Grantham, Lucas Young, Lydia Thacker, Madison Brooks-Brown, Relma Frost and Siân Scattergood were like watching a well oiled machine.

This production has literally everything that you could want from an amazing show. It has passion, it has anger, it has great vocals, incredible acting, theatre magic, great sound and light and it has heart and emotion. It certainly got to me but then again I love the film, and am like a girlie when it's on TV, so seeing this just feet away from me makes the story and the action all the more real.

If you don't have a ticket for this show, then you won't stand a ghost of a chance in getting one, unless there are any cancellations or returns, so it may be worth checking the box office; but you'd be a fool to give up your ticket for this show.

"Ghost The Musical" is at the Duchess Theatre in Long Eaton until Saturday 1 February, but as I type, it is SOLD OUT.