Last year when I said BrassNeck Theatre Group’s production of Sunshine on Leith was the best I had seen from this very talented local theatrical company I was wrong! This year’s production of Ghost the Musical must rank as their finest yet. I was totally blown away by the quality of the acting, singing, dancing and particularly the technical and special effects.

Last week’s edition of this paper, in the preview for this production, gave a summary of the story of this musical, but in case anyone missed it, here it is again. Ghost the Musical is a timeless fantasy about the power of love. Long time couple, Sam and Molly, are happily in love and living together in Brooklyn, New York. Walking back to their apartment one night, they are mugged at gunpoint, leaving Sam murdered on a dark street. Sam is trapped between this world and the next as a ghost and unable to leave Molly - who he quickly learns is in grave danger. With the help of a storefront psychic named Oda Mae Brown, Sam tries to communicate with Molly in the hope of protecting her.

Ghost the Musical is based on the 1990 award winning film, “Ghost” starring Patrick Swayze, Demi Moore and Whoopi Goldberg. Transforming this to the stage has been no mean feat due to the very highly technical requirements needed. But the BrassNeck production and technical team have achieved this with aplomb. Gone are the days of physically changing scenes, everything is now done by hi-tech projection onto hidden screens. Whether it is an apartment, a street scene in Brooklyn or Harlem, New York’s subway or the banking office in uptown New York, the backdrop is spot on for this and adds tremendously to the acting taking place on stage. The audience is drawn into the action and not for one minute can you take your eyes off what is happening. The subway scenes are particularly outstanding with the technical wizardry involved.

The two main principle parts, Sam and Molly, are played by Ben Tomlinson and Emily Kyle. Both are seasoned actors and singers and have been in many of BrassNeck’s previous productions. Emily has a wonderful voice, heard to perfection in her solo numbers of With You and Nothing Stops Another Day. Likewise, Ben is a superb actor with a strong powerful voice and his renditions of Unchained Melody were outstanding. The two of them have several duets together and a number of trios with Paul Metcalfe playing the role of Carl, a fellow banker of Sam’s.

Whilst in the main this is a very action packed and emotional production, there is good humour also generated by the character of Oda Mae Brown, the psychic medium. Luara Judge’s performance in this role is outstanding. Her portrayal of this Hispanic character is superb. The other principals also deserve great plaudits for their contribution. Richard Blackburn as the evil Willie Lopez, Andrew Walton as the Hospital Ghost, Jamie Wilkinson as the Subway Ghost and Lisa Simpson and Caroline Bayfield as Louise and Clara, Oda Mae’s assistants in the Psychic parlour.

The chorus are also to be applauded for their contribution particularly in the numbers You Gotta Let Go Now with Andrew Walton, More - the song in the banking emporium, and I’m Outta Here, one of the final numbers in the show.

Royston Bayfield the Director has produced what can only be described as a truly outstanding show and one that will live in the memory for an awfully long time. Cathy Sweet, the musical director handles her musicians superbly and never over faces the singers with too much volume. The band are hidden at the back of the stage as putting them in front of the stage would have totally altered the viewing perspective. Located where they are means the audience can be totally drawn into the action taking place without distraction. Finally, congratulations to Sara Joice for her outstanding choreography with this very talented cast.

At the time of writing tickets for Friday 17 May are totally sold out and Thursday and Saturday evening are nearly sold out! There is still some availability for Wednesday evening and Saturday matinee but again these are selling fast.

Book tickets now at: brassneck.amateurboxoffice.co.uk or call: 0113 250 5011.

This is a show that cannot be missed!