GHOST the Musical
Leigh Operatic & Dramatic Society
The Palace Theatre, Southend on Sea
21-24th October 2015
Leigh Operatic & Dramatic Society
The Palace Theatre, Southend on Sea
21-24th October 2015
The thing I love about LODS is their fearlessness. Playing it safe is something that just doesn’t seem to be in their criteria. Who else would take on a show that requires goodness knows how many technical cues, together with one illusion after another with countless projections?
GHOST the Musical requires all of these and more; it also requires its principals to sing out some fabulous Dave Stewart and Glen Ballard songs as well as deliver dramatic dialogue written by Bruce Joel Rubin, who also wrote the 1990 movie.
‘Here Right Now’ introduces us to the main characters, Sam, a banker and Molly, a sculptor, as they move into their own loft apartment, along with Sam’s best friend Carl whom he also works with at the bank.
Sam and Molly are a very much in love couple but to get Sam to say he loves her, is something that Molly can never get him to do. “I love you Sam, I really really love you.” she tells him. “Ditto” is as much as she can get out of him as he avoids having to say it back by strumming his guitar and hamming up ‘Unchained Melody’, the iconic song from the film that everyone will be familiar with.
The parts of Sam and Molly have been perfectly cast with Stuart Woolner and Jenny Peoples both seizing their roles. They have a fabulous chemistry and are both hugely watchable; not just for their excellent, heart rending performances but also in the songs they get to sing. Neither of them put a foot or note wrong as they ride through a rollercoaster of emotions on The Palace Theatre stage.
Tragically, Sam is killed and Molly is left distraught. The beautiful ‘With You’ is heartbreakingly sung by Jenny. Alone and bereft, with only Sam’s best friend, Carl, to comfort her the storyline takes on a plot that has a twist which will eventually lead us into an incredibly emotional Act 2.
Playing Carl, is Lewis Sheldrake who gives a compelling performance in this challenging role and who also drew audible gasps from the audience in one scene (I won’t spoil it by telling you why).
‘More’ is a great ensemble piece and I particularly enjoyed the office lift scene which showed some nice touches in Gemma Cohen's choreography with the LODS chorus, who give it plenty of energy throughout all of the ensemble numbers.
GHOST the Musical requires all of these and more; it also requires its principals to sing out some fabulous Dave Stewart and Glen Ballard songs as well as deliver dramatic dialogue written by Bruce Joel Rubin, who also wrote the 1990 movie.
‘Here Right Now’ introduces us to the main characters, Sam, a banker and Molly, a sculptor, as they move into their own loft apartment, along with Sam’s best friend Carl whom he also works with at the bank.
Sam and Molly are a very much in love couple but to get Sam to say he loves her, is something that Molly can never get him to do. “I love you Sam, I really really love you.” she tells him. “Ditto” is as much as she can get out of him as he avoids having to say it back by strumming his guitar and hamming up ‘Unchained Melody’, the iconic song from the film that everyone will be familiar with.
The parts of Sam and Molly have been perfectly cast with Stuart Woolner and Jenny Peoples both seizing their roles. They have a fabulous chemistry and are both hugely watchable; not just for their excellent, heart rending performances but also in the songs they get to sing. Neither of them put a foot or note wrong as they ride through a rollercoaster of emotions on The Palace Theatre stage.
Tragically, Sam is killed and Molly is left distraught. The beautiful ‘With You’ is heartbreakingly sung by Jenny. Alone and bereft, with only Sam’s best friend, Carl, to comfort her the storyline takes on a plot that has a twist which will eventually lead us into an incredibly emotional Act 2.
Playing Carl, is Lewis Sheldrake who gives a compelling performance in this challenging role and who also drew audible gasps from the audience in one scene (I won’t spoil it by telling you why).
‘More’ is a great ensemble piece and I particularly enjoyed the office lift scene which showed some nice touches in Gemma Cohen's choreography with the LODS chorus, who give it plenty of energy throughout all of the ensemble numbers.
Jenny Peoples and Stuart `Woolner
Sam is left in a kind of between heaven and earth limbo as he comes to terms with the fact that he has actually died, aided in this belief by the hospital ghost, played by Zoe Berry. This is a part that is usually played by a man and is not an easy song to sing but Zoe tackles it well and gives it a few of her own sassy touches to endear her character to the audience with ‘You Gotta Let Go Now’.
As Sam revisits the apartment, in an attempt to get through to Molly, he finds that his murderer, Willy Lopez, played by Neil Lands, has broken in and that Molly is in danger. Unable to do anything from ‘the other side’ he desperately seeks out a psychic, Oda Mae Brown, who seems to be a total fraud but by some miracle, she actually hears Sam and he convinces her to go and talk to Molly.
Helen Sharpe has taken on the part of Oda Mae Brown and completely smashes it. If ever there was a master class of how to take on an iconic role and make it your own, this is it. Oda provides the much needed comedy element to this show and Helen’s scenes certainly delivered. ‘Are You A Believer’ and ‘I’m Outta Here’ are hilarious; with some lovely cameo's from Lesley Broadway and Diana Palmer and feisty performances from sidekicks, Clara and Louise played by Emma Elliott and Tori Williams.
I was also very impressed with Lawrence Harp as the subway ghost who gave an outstanding performance.
This musical is much the same as the film as far as the storyline is concerned but for me, the music really endorses it. The score of this production, as directed by MD, Paul Day, is hugely evocative and totally sets the mood of each piece from the hauntingly beautiful melody of ‘With You’ to the upbeat fun ‘I’m Outta Here’ and even rapping with ‘Focus’.
In juxtaposition to the technical aspect of this show, the set of Molly and Sam’s loft apartment in Brooklyn, is very basic. This, however, works really well against the complexity of the rest of the scenes - New York streets, the Brooklyn Bridge, a bank and in particular the subway scene which is especially impressive and huge credit must go to Drew Seal, Glenn Oxenbury and Robert Watson for their technical expertise in this production.
Director, Peter Brown, has certainly had his work cut out for him with this musical and you really have to take a moment to remind yourself that these shows are being produced and performed by amateurs. If ever proof was needed that am dram shows are a labour of love, then this is it.
I honestly don’t think there was a dry eye in the house at the end of the performance and for someone who doesn’t do public displays of emotion, this particular reviewer had one very soggy tissue! GHOST the Musical is a powerful production and every member of LODS should be extremely proud to be part of such a wonderful team.
As Sam revisits the apartment, in an attempt to get through to Molly, he finds that his murderer, Willy Lopez, played by Neil Lands, has broken in and that Molly is in danger. Unable to do anything from ‘the other side’ he desperately seeks out a psychic, Oda Mae Brown, who seems to be a total fraud but by some miracle, she actually hears Sam and he convinces her to go and talk to Molly.
Helen Sharpe has taken on the part of Oda Mae Brown and completely smashes it. If ever there was a master class of how to take on an iconic role and make it your own, this is it. Oda provides the much needed comedy element to this show and Helen’s scenes certainly delivered. ‘Are You A Believer’ and ‘I’m Outta Here’ are hilarious; with some lovely cameo's from Lesley Broadway and Diana Palmer and feisty performances from sidekicks, Clara and Louise played by Emma Elliott and Tori Williams.
I was also very impressed with Lawrence Harp as the subway ghost who gave an outstanding performance.
This musical is much the same as the film as far as the storyline is concerned but for me, the music really endorses it. The score of this production, as directed by MD, Paul Day, is hugely evocative and totally sets the mood of each piece from the hauntingly beautiful melody of ‘With You’ to the upbeat fun ‘I’m Outta Here’ and even rapping with ‘Focus’.
In juxtaposition to the technical aspect of this show, the set of Molly and Sam’s loft apartment in Brooklyn, is very basic. This, however, works really well against the complexity of the rest of the scenes - New York streets, the Brooklyn Bridge, a bank and in particular the subway scene which is especially impressive and huge credit must go to Drew Seal, Glenn Oxenbury and Robert Watson for their technical expertise in this production.
Director, Peter Brown, has certainly had his work cut out for him with this musical and you really have to take a moment to remind yourself that these shows are being produced and performed by amateurs. If ever proof was needed that am dram shows are a labour of love, then this is it.
I honestly don’t think there was a dry eye in the house at the end of the performance and for someone who doesn’t do public displays of emotion, this particular reviewer had one very soggy tissue! GHOST the Musical is a powerful production and every member of LODS should be extremely proud to be part of such a wonderful team.
Ask The Audience
Brian Moore, 74, Hockley
I thought it was a very professional performance. Oda Mae was my favourite. I think it's better than the West End and certainly a lot cheaper!"
Maurice Jardine, 51, Westcliff on Sea
It was really cleverly done. Some outstanding performances particularly from Molly and Sam. The whole cast worked really well together. The music was lovely and the choreography was really good too. It definitely wouldn't be out of place in the West End."
I thought it was a very professional performance. Oda Mae was my favourite. I think it's better than the West End and certainly a lot cheaper!"
Maurice Jardine, 51, Westcliff on Sea
It was really cleverly done. Some outstanding performances particularly from Molly and Sam. The whole cast worked really well together. The music was lovely and the choreography was really good too. It definitely wouldn't be out of place in the West End."
