WHENEVER Ghost - the musical spirits its way to Liverpool, it's always well-received by fans of all ages who lap up these stage adaptations of film blockbusters.

Touring versions of Dirty Dancing, The Bodyguard and Hairspray are favourites in the theatrical feel good factor chart. And so, too, is the heart-tugging Ghost.

The musical from the Bill Kenwright stable, is based on the 1990 Oscar-winning movie and directed by Bob Tomson so it has all the right credentials for an entertaining, emotion-charged night out.

It was last at the Empire in 2019 and some of that cast reprise their roles.

When good guy Sam Wheat is murdered his grief-stricken, devoted partner Molly is in utter despair as they were building a house and a life together.

Fate steps in and with the help of a dubious high-street psychic who has gifts even she didn't know she had, there follows a two and half hour plus roller-coaster of emotions.

Rebekah Lowings is outstanding from the outset as Molly who is a dab hand at the potter's wheel and Jacqui Duboi is the crazy clairvoyant Oda Mae Brown.

Jacqui's timing is spot-on and her delivery is as sharp and as funny as ever.

Josh St. Clair has a charming chemistry between him and Molly.

He can't bring himself to say those three simple words, 'I love you' to her and will only say 'Ditto' a word that has a much wider significance as the story unfolds.

There are some impressive supporting cameos from Jules Brown as the killer Lopez, Garry Lee as an aggressive ghost on the subway and James Mateo-Salt as Sam's banker pal Carl.

Les Dennis appears in the cast, but only on selective dates and was not in the line-up for press night.

He will materialise as the 'hospital ghost' and Mr Ferguson on Friday and Saturday this week.

The production values are high throughout from the slick back drops of the New York to subtle lighting and there are are top of the range musicians providing a lovely soundtrack with some tingly violin input from Charlotte Price.

The main theme song is The Righteous Brothers timeless classic Unchained Melody which seeps magically in and out of the fast-paced proceedings.

The other songs also stand the test of time - all co-written by Dave Stewart of The Eurythmics and Glen Ballard.

Ghost - The Musical works on every level and the sparkling choreography is also first class.

There are plenty of laughs and melancholy sighs, too, leading to a truly memorable and moving finale.

VERDICT: Uplifting and exciting.

Four stars. The production is at The Empire until Saturday, September 7.

Tickets from atgtickets.com