Ghost the musical to open in West End 2010

Ghost the musical to open in West End 2010

Matthew Warchus is to direct a musical version of the 1990 film Ghost, and is scheduled to open in the West End in 2010.

Music and lyrics are by Dave Stewart and Glen Ballard. Bruce Joel Rubin will adapt his original screen play for the stage and write lyrics.

Set and costumes designs are by Rob Howell and the musical supervisors will be Christopher Nightingale and Tesse Gohl.

Ghost is produced by David Garfinkle of New York's Hello Entertainment and London producer Colin Ingram in association with Paramount Pictures.

Ghost is a timeless fantasy about the power of love. Walking back to their apartment one night, Sam and Molly are mugged, leaving Sam murdered on a dark street. Sam is trapped as a ghost between this world and the next and unable to leave Molly who he learns is in grave danger. With the help of a phony storefront psychic, Oda Mae Brown, Sam tries to communicate with Molly in the hope of saving and protecting her.

Dave Stewart said: "I am delighted to be working with my long time collaborator Glen Ballard on this musical adaptation of Ghost. We are having an amazing time bringing some of our own musical sounds and styles to the score."

Bruce Joel Rubin said: "Writing the movie Ghost has been, from conception to winning the Oscar®, the most joyful experience of my film career. The opportunity to give it new life as a musical, to see Molly and Sam come alive again, to see their souls soar with song, is proving to be one of the great experiences of my life. Dave Stewart and Glen Ballard have helped me reshape my words and added brilliant new lyrics of their own. We have become true collaborators. I am thrilled to be working with two of the most celebrated musicians of our time. Matthew Warchus brings a level of insight and invention to the play that excites me. I can see Ghost reborn through his eyes. Watching it emerge through Matthew's vision, I know, is going to be a great gift to people who love the film and a true present to those who have never seen it."

Matthew Warchus said: "Ghost was a landmark film. An unexpected combination of supernatural thriller and romance entwined. It is the kind of powerful, direct and uplifting story which lends itself well to being reborn as a musical. And the melodic strength and exciting driving energy of Dave Stewart and Glen Ballard's music will, I believe, provide exactly the right added engine to the narrative, playing a key role in refreshing the source material for a new audience. From a director's point of view the project calls for a wonderful mix of the very contrasting elements which have always excited me - illusion, spectacle, comedy and raw emotion. In the central triangle of two young lovers, separated by death, and the brilliantly comic reluctant psychic who brings them together, there is an opportunity for some wonderful acting performances by outstanding singers. It is an exciting challenge and we have assembled a very strong artistic team to achieve this goal."

Further information about this production will be announced at a later date.