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Ghost: the Musical

by Peter Hurley 18th February, 2016
by Peter Hurley 18th February, 2016

Am I the only person in the world who didn’t see the film Ghost? I thought it would be an interesting piece to see with absolutely no preparation, because the film is so well known, fresh eyes and ears might be hard to find. The book for this musical was written by Bruce Joel Rubin, who wrote the original version for the film, and I am told that it is quite faithful to the original film. Forgive me then if I make hopelessly naive plot descriptions of this show.

Sam (played by Rob Mills) and Molly (played by Jemma Rix) are a young couple in love, living in New York, and in the first flush of excitement at planning their future together. Their dream is cut short, when – in what appears to be a senseless, violent street mugging – Sam is killed. A ghost world quickly inhabits the same space, and Sam gradually realizes he has joined it. He becomes aware that Molly is in danger, and that there was some connection between his death and a work colleague. Needing to find a way to warn her, he eventually is able to communicate with a shopfront medium, Oda Mae Brown (played by Wendy Mae Brown) – legitimising this career charlatan’s claim at a connection with the spirit world – much to her initial terror, and later, her comic annoyance. Along the way, Sam learns some ghostly techniques from another ghost (played with startling intensity by David Dennis), who is himself haunted to madness by the effects of a most unhappy lifetime.

The emotional connection in the story comes in the pain of seeing Sam and Molly trying to connect between the worlds of the dead and the living, particularly since we saw that while alive, Sam had not yet achieved sufficient maturity for real commitment to Molly. We also have the satisfaction of seeing the two bad characters pay the ultimate price. The issue of asking the audience to accept the idea of ghosts is dealt with by mining the comic potential of the various encounters – a device Coward used long ago to brilliant effect in Blithe Spirit. Just in case we need any further help, there is even an up-tempo number asking us to “suspend your disbelief”.

That said, it is Wendy Mae Brown’s scenes steal that steal the show – her lively stage presence, flawless characterization, comic timing – both verbally and physically, considerable singing and dancing skills lift the show inestimably. Her scenes suffer none of the special effects overkill that made some of the rest of the show difficult to engage with – she is rightfully allowed to take the space, and she is brilliant.

There was a large screen which was used extensively and imaginatively – some of the effects, such as the scenes on the trains and in the city streets caused me to draw breath at the both the cleverness and the relationship with the action on stage itself. At times, it was close to seamless, making the prerecorded and the live imagery interact in a way I have not seen before.

Other electronic special effects however, I rued from start to finish. Perhaps I have unusually sensitive eyes and ears, but the lighting effects were frequently such a violent assault that my only defense was to sit with eyes tight shut until the scene was over. At other times, these effects were so distracting that I found I had to shield my eyes so that I could see what was happening on stage. In fact, there is so much happening in the special effect department that when performers came forward for their curtain calls, I felt that for some of them, we really didn’t know what they had done – we hadn’t had a chance to bond with them amidst the maelstrom of flashing lights and excessive noise at painful amplitude. Even the two leads I felt were diminished by working at a human scale, while so frequently framed by a war of light and noise.

It’s quite possible that the MTV generation will enjoy these effects. I asked a colleague present at the show who had seen it both on Broadway and the West End. He said “They have definitely amped up the special effects since those productions”. Similarly, the volume of sound was at times painful too, but I was prepared for that. Unsure whether the stadium show ethos would rule the music too, I brought earplugs which were effective in bringing the sound level down to something I could process. Both sound and lights brought up a question of scale for me – much of what happens at a human level on stage requires us to draw our attention in – then these sound and light assaults would begin again, and this tends to diminish our engagement with the characters.

The one thing I did know about this show was that it was the “Unchained Melody” musical (“Time….goes by….so slowly….”). I hoped that this song would not be overused – milked, even. It isn’t. When it first appears, the character plays it lightly, humorously, to disarm his girlfriend’s moment of passive aggressive hostility. We actually yearn for its reappearance, and when it comes again, it is only just enough. I think this is very finely judged.

Apart from Unchained Melody, the rest of the music is heavily grounded for the most part in 1980’s pop rock, and the power ballad. Although the songs are new and specifically composed for the show, their style are as familiar as a warm bath because the chord progressions, bass lines and textures are all so well known that even with the new melodies, we know “we’ve been here before” How clever, I thought, to capture the advantage of a Jukebox musical, all while having purpose written material. The songs are lyrically simple, mostly reflections on emotional state rather than moving the plot forward, and lyrically repetitive, so there is an overall effect that they are extremely easy to listen to. Like pop music, you really can just let them wash over you.

Rob Mills sings this show very well – and though it’s a pop rock score, there is considerable demand on the three main voices. Each has a song that is clearly a vocal tour de force, and all three shine through their “big sing” pieces. Rob Mills shines at his, as do Jemma Rix and Wendy Mae Brown. The style of these songs is more or less 80’s power ballad. The songs are well written for each voice, the music and lyrics being written by Dave Stewart (Eurythmics) and Glen Ballard. The chorus mostly gets to sing “Oooh” and echo some words, the trios are similarly very simple in texture – it’s clearly intended to be easy to take in.

This show contains so many elements – of the musical theatre, cinematic effects and the stadium show. On opening night at least, I found something can be less than the sum of its parts. Because of the aforementioned questions of scale, I found that the cohesion of the whole is wanting – so often there was distraction when more subtle effects might have brought more connection.

Ghost is playing at the Regent Theatre until 12 March. Bookings through Ticketmaster.

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Mystic Dances

April 26 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

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$30 – $37
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ASQ in Concert: Britten Paterson Beethoven

April 26 @ 7:00 pm - 8:10 pm

ASQ in Concert: Britten Paterson Beethoven

Program Benjamin Britten Three Divertimenti David Paterson String Quartet No.1 (Melbourne premiere)* Ludwig van Beethoven String Quartet in C, Op.59 No.3,…

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1 event, 30

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Royal Melbourne Philharmonic: Across the Vast, Eternal Sky – The music of Ola Gjeilo

April 30 @ 7:00 pm - 8:15 pm

Royal Melbourne Philharmonic: Across the Vast, Eternal Sky – The music of Ola Gjeilo

Ola Gjeilo is one of the most frequently performed composers in the choral world. An accomplished pianist, improvisations over his own…

$25 – $55

2 events, 1

2:30 pm - 4:30 pm

Melbourne Chamber Orchestra: Bach’s World

May 1 @ 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm

Melbourne Chamber Orchestra: Bach’s World

Music from Bach’s world, and music inspired by it, with guest direction by Sophie Rowell. Program Jan Zelenka Hypocondrie à 7…

$30 – $143
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Melbourne Opera: The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny

May 1 @ 3:00 pm - 5:30 pm Recurring

Melbourne Opera: The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny

Presented by IOpera and Melbourne Opera, The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny is a satirical opera which premiered…

$35 – $95

2 events, 2

6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Penny Quartet: Metamorphosis

May 2 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Penny Quartet: Metamorphosis

Celebrating the joys and complexities of the string quartet. Program György Ligeti String Quartet No.1, ‘Métamorphoses nocturnes’ Ella Macens Resting with…

$30 – $37
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Ensemble Liaison & Friends: Pictures

May 2 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Ensemble Liaison & Friends: Pictures

An animated, intimate and joyous event not to be missed. Program Christoph Willibald Gluck Orfeo ed Euridice Act II: ‘Dance of…

$45 – $55

2 events, 3

7:00 pm - 9:00 pm Recurring

Musica Viva: Van Diemen’s Band

May 3 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm Recurring

Musica Viva: Van Diemen’s Band

Australia’s finest early music specialists invite you to experience the beautiful melding of cultures in Europe’s historical borderlands for Musica Viva…

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Melbourne Opera: The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny

May 3 @ 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm Recurring

Melbourne Opera: The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny

Presented by IOpera and Melbourne Opera, The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny is a satirical opera which premiered…

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1 event, 4

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Opera Australia: La Traviata

May 4 @ 7:30 pm - 10:10 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: La Traviata

Raise your glass, bat your pretty lashes, it’s Paris in the salons and you’re the life of the party. He’s staring…

$38 – $289

1 event, 5

7:30 pm - 9:30 pm Recurring

Melbourne Opera: The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny

May 5 @ 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm Recurring

Melbourne Opera: The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny

Presented by IOpera and Melbourne Opera, The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny is a satirical opera which premiered…

$35 – $95

0 events, 6

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7:30 pm - 10:10 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: La Traviata

May 7 @ 7:30 pm - 10:10 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: La Traviata

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3 events, 8

2:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Mother’s Day at fortyfivedownstairs: “Viola, Viola” and “Brahms and Dances”

May 8 @ 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Mother’s Day at fortyfivedownstairs: “Viola, Viola” and “Brahms and Dances”

Mothers Day at fortyfivedownstairs! On Sunday the 8th of May, enjoy two gorgeous recitals in our theatre and a lovely afternoon…

$70
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Melbourne Opera: Bel Canto Opera Spectacular

May 8 @ 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm

Melbourne Opera: Bel Canto Opera Spectacular

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$59
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Australian Brandenburg Orchestra: Mozart

May 8 @ 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Australian Brandenburg Orchestra: Mozart

Stepping in to perform a sublime solo work in place of Craig Hill is none other than the Brandenburg’s own beloved Concertmaster, Shaun Lee-Chen.

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2 events, 9

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KIAZMA – Relaxed Performance

May 9 @ 11:00 am - 12:00 pm

KIAZMA – Relaxed Performance

About the artists Described as ‘masterful’, ‘positively ecstatic’ and ‘profoundly moving, subtle and exuberant’, the KIAZMA Piano Duo brings together the infectious musical…

$10
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Selby and Friends Twilight Series – Four-Part Harmony

May 9 @ 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Selby and Friends Twilight Series – Four-Part Harmony

This program of beautiful piano quartets with four artists of extraordinary skill and warmth will be thrilling. Program Paul Stanhope My…

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1 event, 10

7:30 pm - 10:10 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: La Traviata

May 10 @ 7:30 pm - 10:10 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: La Traviata

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Jacqueline Porter & Dean Sky-Lucas – The Art of French Song

May 12 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Jacqueline Porter & Dean Sky-Lucas – The Art of French Song

Jacqueline Porter (soprano) and Dean Sky-Lucas (piano) explore the inextricable links between poetry and music in an evening of exquisite French…

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Kawai Piano Series – Stefan Cassomenos – Hammerklavier

Stefan Cassemenos
May 12 @ 8:30 pm - 9:30 pm

Kawai Piano Series – Stefan Cassomenos – Hammerklavier

Internationally acclaimed pianist Stefan Cassomenos presents three sweeping visions from venerated compositional titans - Ligeti’s epic whirlwind étude 'Fanfares', Gubaidulina’s earth-shattering…

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Opera Australia: La Traviata

May 13 @ 7:30 pm - 10:10 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: La Traviata

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Opera Australia: Lohengrin

Lohengrin with Jonas Kaufmann
May 14 @ 6:00 pm - 10:20 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: Lohengrin

In a romance of mythical proportions, our Knight of the Swan rescues his damsel asking only one thing in return… Elsa…

$149
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Musica Viva: Van Diemen’s Band

May 14 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm Recurring

Musica Viva: Van Diemen’s Band

Australia’s finest early music specialists invite you to experience the beautiful melding of cultures in Europe’s historical borderlands for Musica Viva…

$40 – $153

1 event, 15

5:00 pm - 6:00 pm

GLOW – Jasper Ly and Peter Dumsday

May 15 @ 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm

GLOW – Jasper Ly and Peter Dumsday

Jasper Ly is an Australian oboist based in Melbourne. He is a dynamic and vibrant performer who aims to captivate and…

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Australian Chamber Orchestra: Mozart Sinfonia Concertante

May 16 @ 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm Recurring

Australian Chamber Orchestra: Mozart Sinfonia Concertante

Benjamin Britten and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart reach out to one another across the centuries in profound and deeply moving communion. Mozart’s…

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7:30 pm - 10:10 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: La Traviata

May 16 @ 7:30 pm - 10:10 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: La Traviata

Raise your glass, bat your pretty lashes, it’s Paris in the salons and you’re the life of the party. He’s staring…

$38 – $289

1 event, 17

6:00 pm - 10:20 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: Lohengrin

Lohengrin with Jonas Kaufmann
May 17 @ 6:00 pm - 10:20 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: Lohengrin

In a romance of mythical proportions, our Knight of the Swan rescues his damsel asking only one thing in return… Elsa…

$149

1 event, 18

7:30 pm - 10:10 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: La Traviata

May 18 @ 7:30 pm - 10:10 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: La Traviata

Raise your glass, bat your pretty lashes, it’s Paris in the salons and you’re the life of the party. He’s staring…

$38 – $289

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2 events, 21

12:30 pm - 4:50 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: Lohengrin

Lohengrin with Jonas Kaufmann
May 21 @ 12:30 pm - 4:50 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: Lohengrin

In a romance of mythical proportions, our Knight of the Swan rescues his damsel asking only one thing in return… Elsa…

$149
7:30 pm - 9:30 pm Recurring

Australian Chamber Orchestra: Mozart Sinfonia Concertante

May 21 @ 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm Recurring

Australian Chamber Orchestra: Mozart Sinfonia Concertante

Benjamin Britten and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart reach out to one another across the centuries in profound and deeply moving communion. Mozart’s…

$25 – $131

0 events, 22

0 events, 23

1 event, 24

6:00 pm - 10:20 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: Lohengrin

Lohengrin with Jonas Kaufmann
May 24 @ 6:00 pm - 10:20 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: Lohengrin

In a romance of mythical proportions, our Knight of the Swan rescues his damsel asking only one thing in return… Elsa…

$149

0 events, 25

1 event, 26

7:30 pm - 10:10 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: La Traviata

May 26 @ 7:30 pm - 10:10 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: La Traviata

Raise your glass, bat your pretty lashes, it’s Paris in the salons and you’re the life of the party. He’s staring…

$38 – $289

0 events, 27

1 event, 28

12:30 pm - 3:10 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: La Traviata

May 28 @ 12:30 pm - 3:10 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: La Traviata

Raise your glass, bat your pretty lashes, it’s Paris in the salons and you’re the life of the party. He’s staring…

$38 – $289

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  • There are no events on this day.
April 26
April 26 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Mystic Dances

April 26 @ 7:00 pm - 8:10 pm

ASQ in Concert: Britten Paterson Beethoven

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April 30
April 30 @ 7:00 pm - 8:15 pm

Royal Melbourne Philharmonic: Across the Vast, Eternal Sky – The music of Ola Gjeilo

May 1
May 1 @ 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm

Melbourne Chamber Orchestra: Bach’s World

May 1 @ 3:00 pm - 5:30 pm Recurring

Melbourne Opera: The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny

May 2
May 2 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Penny Quartet: Metamorphosis

May 2 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Ensemble Liaison & Friends: Pictures

May 3
May 3 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm Recurring

Musica Viva: Van Diemen’s Band

May 3 @ 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm Recurring

Melbourne Opera: The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny

May 4
May 4 @ 7:30 pm - 10:10 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: La Traviata

May 5
May 5 @ 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm Recurring

Melbourne Opera: The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny

  • There are no events on this day.
May 7
May 7 @ 7:30 pm - 10:10 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: La Traviata

May 8
May 8 @ 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Mother’s Day at fortyfivedownstairs: “Viola, Viola” and “Brahms and Dances”

May 8 @ 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm

Melbourne Opera: Bel Canto Opera Spectacular

May 8 @ 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Australian Brandenburg Orchestra: Mozart

May 9
May 9 @ 11:00 am - 12:00 pm

KIAZMA – Relaxed Performance

May 9 @ 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Selby and Friends Twilight Series – Four-Part Harmony

May 10
May 10 @ 7:30 pm - 10:10 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: La Traviata

  • There are no events on this day.
May 12
May 12 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Jacqueline Porter & Dean Sky-Lucas – The Art of French Song

May 12 @ 8:30 pm - 9:30 pm

Kawai Piano Series – Stefan Cassomenos – Hammerklavier

May 13
May 13 @ 7:30 pm - 10:10 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: La Traviata

May 14
May 14 @ 6:00 pm - 10:20 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: Lohengrin

May 14 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm Recurring

Musica Viva: Van Diemen’s Band

May 15
May 15 @ 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm

GLOW – Jasper Ly and Peter Dumsday

May 16
May 16 @ 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm Recurring

Australian Chamber Orchestra: Mozart Sinfonia Concertante

May 16 @ 7:30 pm - 10:10 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: La Traviata

May 17
May 17 @ 6:00 pm - 10:20 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: Lohengrin

May 18
May 18 @ 7:30 pm - 10:10 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: La Traviata

May 21
May 21 @ 12:30 pm - 4:50 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: Lohengrin

May 21 @ 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm Recurring

Australian Chamber Orchestra: Mozart Sinfonia Concertante

May 24
May 24 @ 6:00 pm - 10:20 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: Lohengrin

May 26
May 26 @ 7:30 pm - 10:10 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: La Traviata

May 28
May 28 @ 12:30 pm - 3:10 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: La Traviata

  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
May 21
May 21 @ 12:30 pm - 4:50 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: Lohengrin

May 21 @ 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm Recurring

Australian Chamber Orchestra: Mozart Sinfonia Concertante

  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
May 24
May 24 @ 6:00 pm - 10:20 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: Lohengrin

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May 26
May 26 @ 7:30 pm - 10:10 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: La Traviata

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May 28
May 28 @ 12:30 pm - 3:10 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: La Traviata

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