New musical Ghost Light shines an uncomfortable gentle on what we do to former little one stars on the Golden Goose Theatre
“We know why you’re here”
A brand new musical from award-winning author Molly O’Gorman, Ghost Light is a considerably difficult tackle the corrosive results of fame and notably on ladies within the public eye. Counting the exhibits off one after the other with lipstick on her mirror, Cat is coming to the tip of a troubled set of performances and he or she’s had sufficient. But along with her greedy husband cracking the whip and impressive understudies and momagers ready within the wings, is the longer term hers to know for herself?
As a former little one star whose skills haven’t essentially carried by into maturity, Cat’s place is tenuous at greatest however since she’s been on the head of this gravy practice for thus lengthy, those that have come to depend on all of it exert their very own strain on her. In some circumstances, her despair is warranted because of the emotional abuse; in others although, her desperation is driving her to some dodgy choices that are manifesting in worrying methods.
It’s a narrative that’s undoubtedly filled with potential however a world right here which doesn’t all the time translate it. The focus of Elena Yianni’s manufacturing bounces across the firm of 5 in a manner which detracts from the centrality of Cat’s journey. The romantic travails of her mom and colleague take up couple of quantity early on which oddly diverts a few of the narrative drive, and the manufacturing at instances feels too targeted on minor particulars – the fixed shifting of the dressing desk for one.
Musically, Ghost Light can also be a little bit of a problem however in a extra fascinating method. O’Gorman’s piano-based rating eschews straightforward tunefulness to symbolize the complexities of Cat’s mindset (quiveringly portrayed by Siân Elissa), shifting to extra simple guide songs for the opposite characters, Ellie Councell’s Charley seizing her second most appropriately.