IT'S a timeless tale of love, despair and hope.

Ghost the Musical returns to Mayflower Theatre next week.

Taking inspiration from the classic 1990 movie starring Whoopi Goldberg, Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore, this innovative reimagining features an expanded book, new music and original staging.

Walking back to their apartment late one night a tragic encounter sees Sam murdered and his beloved girlfriend Molly alone and utterly lost. But, with the help of a phony psychic, Sam tries to communicate with Molly from beyond the grave in the hope of saving her from danger.

Bill Kenwright's production, which runs from Tuesday to Saturday, stars Andy Moss as Sam. Best known for his long-running role as Rhys Ashworth in Channel 4's Hollyoaks, he has also appeared on TV in Cutting It, Coronation Street and Doctors.

West End star Jacqui Dubois, who was in the original London cast of Rent and Children of Eden and has also appeared in The Lion King, plays Oda Mae Brown in the part made famous by Whoopi Goldberg.

Carolyn Maitland plays Molly. Her musical theatre credits include Miss Saigon, Groundhog Day and Kiss Me Kate.

The Double Academy Award winning movie was a huge success story, both critically and at the box office, where it was the highest grossing film of the year. Bruce Joel Rubin's script won the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay and Whoopi Goldberg won the Oscar for Best Actress in a Supporting

Role. The film's most iconic and moving scene was famously performed to The Righteous Brother's Unchained Melody, which also features in the musical version.

Bill Kenwright said: "Ghost is a story full of hope, and is one of those films which never leaves you. The book by Bruce Joel Rubin and score by Dave Stewart (of Eurythmics fame) and Glenn Ballard come together wonderfully in one of my favourite new musicals in years."

Tickets: 023 8071 1811 or mayflower.org.uk