Ghost The Musical is announced for Melbourne, 2013
It seems to be the rule rather than the exception these days, that major musical events are announced more than 12 months in advance! All the more time to build excitement and anticipation around the opening night, no?
The Addams Family was announced 22 months ahead of its March 2013 opening, Strictly Ballroom was announced nearly 28 months in advance, and today, 20 months away from production, the announcement of Ghost The Musical for Melbourne still seemed to stir up excitement and flurry.
In August 2013 Melbourne’s Her Majesty’s Theatre will host the 3rd stop on a world tour of this spectacular new musical. London’s Piccadilly Theatre saw the world premiere, and Broadway prepares to ‘believe’ in March 2012.
Co-Producer Louise Withers (pictured with composer Dave Stewart of Eurythmics fame) said at a press conference this morning that she is hopeful that this musical will have a long life in the southern hemisphere.
“We are hoping to tour Australia. Obviously we will be opening in Melbourne first”, she said. “We are looking at [6 months] to a year [in Melbourne], but it will be the general public who makes that call, not me”.
The usual Australian tour circuit is currently being considered for the musical, with Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth all in the running to host the show and Withers hopes that the musical will play for an ‘extended run’.
“I’d certainly hope that this tour, the Australian Production, throughout Australia and into South East Asia would have a life of… well three to four years”, she said.
The budget for this production is sure to be sky high, with special effects, world class illusions, spectacular sets, lighting and costumes and Stewart explained that while the story mirrors the film very closely, the way it is presented and portrayed is extremely different. However, fans of the 1990 film (starring Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore) can rest assured that there will be a pottery wheel in the show in some form.
“Yes, it’s in there, in a very clever way” he laughed. “In fact there are a lot of erotic and sexual moments that are very cleverly done through the use of all sorts of new technology mixed with great acting.”
Dave Stewart told the press this morning that the score does occasionally show hints of the Eurythmics even though the songs in the show are “specific and narrative driven”. A colleague of Stewart’s, Amy Keys (currently touring with him and Stevie Nicks), gave an impromptu performance of ‘With You’ from the show. Stay tuned for our video from the event!
Further Reading:
Do You Believe in Ghost? Melbourne 2013
Image 1 by Sean Ebsworth Barnes
Image 2 by Matt Edwards
