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The success of "jukebox musicals" - plays based on popular songs - lies in the script and how it uses the tunes in a plausible and entertaining way.

When the writer or musical director, due to a lack of time or creativity, fails to give the familiar tunes a new shine, the show becomes merely a revue - or a concert.

Such is the case with "Lom Haichai the Musical" ("Breath"), based on the songbook of Boyd Kosiyabong and heavily inspired by Hollywood movies like "Always" and "Ghost".

Although the ads suggest otherwise, the show is not directed by Boy Thakonkiet, but Thailand-born, Singapore-bred-and-based Ekachai Uekrongtham, who's best known for his award-winning film "Beautiful Boxer".

Unfortunately, he doesn't use Action Theatre, his Singapore team. "Lom Haichai" simply looks, sounds and feels like just another Boy musical.

One unmemorable scene, supposedly romantic, interprets the hit tune "Dokmai" ("Flower") with an amateurish dance you might have seen at the Royal Flora botanical show in Chiang Mai a few years ago.

That explains everything

Ekachai's direction falls prey to a script from Scenario's team that's stocked with one-dimensional characters, cheesy lines and predictable twists.

It's as though they assumed that viewers leave their brains at the door, so everything needs to be explained, repeatedly.

As in other Scenario musicals, the actors often face the audience rather than their scene partners, like in a concert. Meanwhile spectacular lighting effects prevent us from empathising with the characters and their dramatic situations.

Patiparn Pataweekarn's performance is never credible as an architect who can't commit to marriage before his untimely death, and then as a god-like spirit from the afterlife who returns to solve his friends' troubles.

He's still in character from the hit movie "Kling Wai Kon Phor Son Wai" almost two decades ago and, as in "Fah Charod Sai", his singing skills fall short.

Nicole Theriault has a superior voice, but when she's not singing, she adopts the young-and-innocent image that made her famous more than a decade ago.

Scene stealers

With the shortcomings of the two leads, Pongsak Rattanapong steals the show in his theatre debut.

His portrayal of Tor, Pad's younger friend who has a secret crush on Fon, is filled with credible sincerity.

Rudklao Amratisha, in the meatiest stage role since her college days, is another audience favourite, so much so that we wish her character Chan found new love and got married. She can both sing and act effortlessly, and when she sings she does so in character.

Read the full review at Blog.NationMultimedia.com|/DanceAndTheatre.

 SPOOK SHOW

>> "Lom Haichai the Musical" runs until November 22 at the Muangthai Rachadalai Theatre. it will probably be extended.

>> Show times are 7.30 Wednesday to Sunday with matinees at 2 on Saturday and Sunday.

>> English surtitles are used in some performances.

 >> Tickets cost Bt500 to Bt2,800 at www.Thai|TicketMajor.com.