Well last night was the press night at Ghost The Musical in Cardiff, and we can now publish our first fan review of Ghost The Musical’s touring production.

The photo gallery attached are new photos taken by Sean Ebsworth Barnes

Ghost the Musical – Cardiff

 

Following Ghost closing in London last October it was announced that Ghost the Musical would embark on a full UK tour this year and immediately the questions began as to how the show could be made into a touring version whilst not detracting from the spectacle it was in its original format?

 

After witnessing the tour on its opening week in Cardiff it is clear that the spectacle has not lost anything in its touring guise, in fact the re-staging has enhanced the show.  Every visual element from London has been retained, it has new illusions and a much slicker show if that is possible.

 

Many have said that the video effects and numerous illusions are what sets this show apart from others before.  Whilst this is true on one hand, on the other if you were to strip away all the technology seen on the stage you would still be left with an emotional rollercoaster of a performance which is sure to strike a chord with every single person who experiences the show.

 

Rebecca Trehearn returns to the role of Molly Jensen which she understudied during the second half of the London run and is joined by Stewart Clarke as Sam Wheat.  The chemistry between the two is electric on stage from the first time they are seen in the loft apartment right up until the final goodbye.  In Stewart and Rebecca the show has the strongest Sam and Molly since the show began.

 

In a case of life imitating art Oda Mae Brown is played by Wendy Mae Brown!  Reading previews of the show before its opening some speculated that Wendy was born to play the role and after seeing her on stage it is clear these comments were spot on.  Her presence on stage never fails to bring a smile to your face.  With impeccable comic timing and a power house voice she is every inch Oda Mae and some more.  On the evening we were at the show she was applauded after every scene and much deserved it was too.

 

The final member of the leading foursome is Carl Bruner played on tour by David Roberts.  Interestingly as his predecessor Andrew Langtree did David has appeared previously in Mamma Mia which is proving to be a good breeding ground for this role.  David’s portrayal of Carl can best be described as lovingly menacing and you really connect with the pain and anguish he experiences as the story unfolds.

 

The ensemble in the show benefit from improved choreography on the tour and take a larger role.  With the absence of a hospital ghost in this production the hospital scene complete with new song ‘You Gotta Let Go’ is much enhanced.  A further change in the second half sees a reworked version of ‘Life Turns on a Dime’ sung by Carl.

 

So is the show better than the original?  That is for you to decide for yourself but one thing is for certain, Ghost the Musical is back where it belongs on a stage and is guaranteed to send audiences away each night emotionally drained.  There are few musicals that tug at the heart strings quite as strongly as this does.

 

The show continues on tour around the entire UK for the next 18 months so there is no excuse for you not to catch it near you and believe all over again!