ARTS | ‘Ghost’ leading actors take on challenging roles

Liam Doyle

The Broadway musical ‘Ghost,’ based on the 1990 hit movie starring Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore, will take center stage at Macau’s Cultural Center (CCM) next month. Ahead of a run comprising eight shows, kicking off on August 4, the Times interviewed the Coventry-born actor Liam Doyle and the X Factor finalist Lucie Jones, both of whom are leading stars in the musical production.
The actors stress that playing the roles in a less conventional manner is key, since there’s always the risk of being compared to the iconic roles of Sam Wheat and Molly Jensen as played by Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore in the film version.
“I think it’s impossible not to be compared to Patrick Swayze because he is the person who originated in the role. I like to think that I bring something new to the role whilst still giving the audience everything that they already expect,” said Doyle, who entered the spotlight at the age of 18, playing Troy Bolton in High School Musical 2 after winning a television contest. “I have always been interested in the performing arts. My family used to take me to London to see shows once a year and I always loved it. I never thought that I’d do it as a profession though.”
“I love the role of Molly, it is an amazing acting opportunity for me and a huge learning curve. I am very different to Demi Moore, she is an amazing actress and has given me a great path to follow as Molly but I get to fill in all the personal details. It’s amazing!” said Jones. “For me, the best part is at end of the show when Molly’s ideas about life and death are completely challenged and you see her question everything and start to believe. It’s amazing too.”
In aspiring to shine in the musical theatre scene since child- hood, the 24-year-old singer garnered attention in 2009 on the X Factor stage with her enthralling voice before also pursuing modeling and emceeing opportunities.
Without going through similar hardships, could someone empathise with Molly Jensen, who loses her lover in the romantic thriller? Upon being asked how she managed to fully immerse herself into the role, Jones acknowledged that initially it was a difficult task to step into the shoes of Molly.
“It is a hard thing to do, imagining your partner passing away. I have read lots of stories of people who have experienced losing their loved ones and how they dealt it. I have also been to see a psychic to have my fortune told,” she said.

Lucie Jones

Meanwhile, despite having vast experience in playing in a number of romantic musicals, Doyle described the challenging play as “on the next level,” which he still found enjoyable.
“It’s emotionally draining every night and it can be quite hard to come down from after the show. It’s the most challenging role I’ve ever played and I’m loving every second of it,” he said, also joking that his favorite part about the musical was being able to walk through a solid door every night in the show, which features ingenious special effects.
After such an overwhelming and action-packed Asian tour, with Macau as the last second stop, the pair seems to be open to any possibility that will arise in their careers.
“Who knows what’s next for me? That’s the life of an actor. You can be playing in front of 2500 people one night and be back working behind the next. I quite enjoy that though,” Doyle said.
“I love this show and I hope to continue playing Molly in the future. Who knows what else will happen? I would love to come back to China,” Jones remarked.  Staff reporter