Musical version of hit Demi Moore movie Ghost to premiere in York

One of the Nineties’ best-loved movies, Ghost saw Demi Moore protected from danger by the spirit of her murdered lover Patrick Swayze.

Now a fresh take on the film, Ghost The Musical, is being brought to the York stage for the first time by Pick Me Up Theatre.

Two newcomers to the company take on the lead roles. Lottie Henshall, 20, plays Molly Jensen – the role Demi Moore originated – and Joe Mellor, 26, plays murdered Sam Wheat, as previously portrayed by Swayze.

They prepared for the show by recreating the iconic potter’s wheel scene from the famous film.

Real-life potters Lyn and Gerry Grant from Fangfoss Pottery showed Joe and Lottie how to throw clay and turn the wheel at the workshop near York.

The show’s co-director Robert Readman said it was “really useful for the principals to get this opportunity. This is a brilliant, emotional show and it is important to get it right.”

Talented team

“It’s fantastic to have such a diverse cast from different walks of life but with a mutual passion and
talent,” says musical director, Tom Marlow, who studied music at the University of York.

Lottie and Joe are joined in the cast by Fraser Wilkinson and Lee West (villains Carl Bruner and Willie Lopez respectively), while Emma Osman plays the comic relief, Oda Mae Brown, originally played by Whoopi Goldberg.

The cast also includes Susannah Baines, Callum Barrott, Louise Carter, Harriet Dixon, Neal Edlin, Megan Forgan, Emma Hayes, Sam Hird, James Knight, Kirsten Moore, Chris Mortimer, Claire Pulpher, Emily Ramsden, Holly Surtees-Smith, Maya Tether, Ben Williams and Kris Wright.

Based on the Academy Award-winning film – the highest-grossing movie of 1990 – the production is a first for York audiences, with book, music and lyrics by Bruce Joel Rubin, Dave Stewart and Glen Ballard.

Ghost The Musical boasts an electric rock score, reinvented special effects and memorable moments such as the pottery scene.

“It’s a challenge to match the incredibly high standard of the professional production and the famous film, but we have approached the piece from a fresh perspective in order to work to our strengths and present
new treats for an audience,” says co-director, Robyn Grant.

Joe Mellor has most recently played Danny Zuko in Grease at the Harrogate Theatre, while Lottie Henshall is completing her second year of professional musical theatre training at the prestigious Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in London.

Other drama school trainees include co-director, Robyn Grant, who is studying acting and contemporary theatre at East 15 alongside Emma Osman.

Associate choreographer, Matthew Hill, also returns to York having trained at The Urdang Academy, while choreographer Jed Berry leaves Yorkshire in September to begin his training at the Guildford School of Acting.

Louise Carter will be back from London where she has been studying drama, theatre and performance studies, and Emily Ramsden is completing her degree in musical theatre at Blackpool And The Fylde College.

Callum Barrott has just accepted his place at the Cathedral Academy of Performing Arts in Wakefield, while Ben Williams, Maya Tether, Holly Surtees-Smith, Chris Mortimer and Megan Forgan all study Musical Theatre at York College.

Completing the production team are assistant musical director Barbara Chan, technical designer Alistair Penman and projection designer Adam Moore.

“I truly believe we have pulled together one of the best casts and crew there is around,” says co-director Robert Readman, “and coupled with such a brilliant, emotional show, it’s a match made in heaven and one certainly not to miss!”