REVIEW: GHOST LIGHT by Molly O’Gorman at Golden Goose Theatre 14 - 18 February 2023

‘This new musical is quite a pleasant surprise when it comes to the quality of both the lyrics and the diverse tunes’ ★★★ ½

It is a “meta” experience watching people disillusioned by the theatre on stage. In GHOST LIGHT, Cat (Siân Elissa) is a young lady who has been performing for others since she was in nappies and she’s tired… or depressed. No-one’s really sure. She’s been used for other people’s entertainment as well as their financial gain and Cat wants out, but she has no idea how. Using lipstick on her mirror to mark her days, as if in prison, she does the only thing she can do: she misses her cues and stares at herself backstage until she has annoyed every member of the team.

Surrounding Cat is a flurry of people: a mother (Suki Stephens) who is concerned but not efficacious, a husband (Jonathan Iceton) who is her director (in every way), and a nemesis (Annie Thorpe) who brings to mind the Phantom of the Opera-like competition for the spotlight, the centre stage, as she waits in the wings for her opportunity. Meanwhile, a potential new love story almost transpires and falls dead in its tracks. Stephens is immensely watchable as the bewildered mother and Iceton really embodies the role of the domineering spouse without becoming a caricature.

Five entangled characters support and strangle each other, as we transition from stage to backstage through the scenes. Most of this is relayed through song. A striking line in a song belted out by Cat makes clear her self-awareness: ‘everyone loves me, but nobody likes me’. Speaking of song, this musical is quite a pleasant surprise when it comes to the quality of both the lyrics and the diverse tunes. Many musicals make things light, flippant, silly even; in Molly O’Gorman’s lyrics and script believably portray the darkness of the very place where people come for refuge from the troubles of their own lives. How brilliant! 

Three pianists traded spots to play the digital piano, turn pages, or sit on the side lines; they seamlessly supported the singing by a talented cast, who put their souls into the pieces.

A new Britney Spears musical is due to hit Broadway. Perhaps there is an appetite for stories of ambitious parents pushing their children forward for the amusement of others. At 60 minutes, this is just right for being immersed in the sorrow of these characters’ lives. I was pleasantly surprised by the ending: an unexpected alliance. Is the ghost light the faint flicker of hope under the incessant glare of a theatre spotlight?

Images: Belle Ning

GHOST LIGHT

Music/lyrics/book: Molly O'Gorman

Performed by Siân Elissa, Jonathan Iceton, Annie Thorpe, Suki Stephens, Stephen Riddle

Director: Elena Yianni

Sound: Frankie Martini

Assistant director: Tamara Phoenix

Art and photography: Belle Ning

Reviewed by Mariam Mathew