The most anticipated musical of 2011 opens in a month's time in Manchester where it will play for a try-out seven week run before heading for London. There has been great excitement about this show since it was first announced last year.
The cast members are now well into rehearsal with director Matthew Warchus while Glen Ballard and Dave Stewart are making any last-minute adjustments to a range of new songs. Despite a completely new score they are keeping in the iconic Unchained Melody which was the background to one of the most moving scenes in the film.
As Molly, played by Demi Moore, worked at her potter's wheel with Sam assisting her, the Righteous Brother's version of the song made it the best-known scene from the film which everybody remembers.
The film was nominated for an Oscar for the Best Film of 1990, although it failed to take that accolade, Bruce Joel Rubin's script won an Oscar for best original screenplay and Whoopi Goldberg took the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her role as Oda Mae.
Now Bruce Joel Rubin has adapted his screenplay for the stage, which is why this new show is so eagerly awaited. On Monday 28th March it will open at the Royal Opera House, Manchester and run for seven weeks until May 14th before heading for London's Piccadilly Theatre in June. The show will preview from Wednesday 22nd June, with a Gala Opening Night on Tuesday July 19th.
The Cast
- Sam Wheat Richard Fleesman
- Molly Jensen Caissie Levy
- Carl Bruner Andrew Langtree
- Willie Lopez Ivan de Freita
- Subway Ghost Adebayo Bolaji
- Hospital Gost Mark Pearce
- Clara Lisa Davina Phillip
- Louise Jenny Fitzpatrick
- Plus Ensemble
- Director Matthew Warhus
- Set & Costume Design Rob Howell
- Choreography Ashley Wallen
The Story
Ghost is a timeless fantasy about never-ending love. As Sam and Molly are walking home to their apartment after a night out they are mugged, and Sam is left dying in the dark street.
Molly is distraught and Sam is trapped between this world as the next as he tries to prevent Molly being murdered by his killer. He knows she is in danger and he tries to warn her that her life is in danger.
He enlists the help of a phony shop-front psychic, Oda Mae Brown, to help him communicate with Molly before it is too late.
The director of the show has promised some innovative special effects and tickets are already on sale for both Manchester and London. You can book for either venue on the Ticketmaster website.
Amanda Wilkins - I am really looking forward to giving you news on all the latest shows and getting to know the other excellent contributors to this ...
