I have wanted to see Danny Robin’s 2:22 A Ghost Story since its release in 2021, due to Its huge hype over the years, mainly due to the high-profile stars who have featured in the supernatural thriller, specifically the role of Jenny.
The role of Jenny was originally played by singing sensation Lily Allen in the original West End run, Allen won the WhatsOnStage Award for “Best Performer in A Female Identifying Role in A Play”, later replaced by Author/Actress Giovanna Fletcher, Presenter Laura Whitmore, Singer Cheryl and Actress Jaime Winstone.
In a nutshell: Jenny, Sam and baby Phoebe have recently moved into their new home, mid-way through renovations Jenny starts to believe the house is haunted but husband Sam isn’t having any of it and thinks she is going crazy. At their first dinner party in their new home, Jenny opens up about her suspicions to dinner party guests Lauren (Sam’s old friend) and Lauren’s new partner Ben.
Do the sounds which Jenny hears in her daughter’s room at 2:22 every morning actually exist? Is she going mad? All will be revealed . . . . in the show, not this blogpost! No spoilers 😀
The 2023/24 UK tour stars Eastenders legend Louisa Lytton as Jenny who was fantastic in this role. Fun fact, I was an extra in a film Lytton was in called The Knot back in day, I was in a scene with her, and she was lovely! Lytton was made for this role, her relationship with on-screen husband Sam played by It’s a Sin star Nathanial Curtis was effortlessly natural, the deep discussions and arguments between them both were totally believable of new parents. Moving home is stressful enough, let alone bringing a baby and potentially haunted house into the equation then there’s no wonders they are having issues!
Dinner party guests Lauren and Ben are played by Charlene Boyd and Joe Absolom (I saw Absolom a few years back in The Shawshank Redemption which he was fantastic in) this is a different type of role for Absolom but he played the role of middleclass wannabe Ben very well. Boyd was hilarious in her role, throughout the show the character was just drinking and drinking and get more drunk as the minutes went by. Obviously, she wasn’t really drunk, but it looked incredibly realistic! What a fun role to play.
The staging I thought was excellent, the kitchen/diner scene worked really well, as that’s where all the action took place. I really appreciated the detail in the set, from dishwasher to working kettle (I even smelt the coffee which was made on stage) I felt like I was part of the dinner party! A very high-end and large set for a play on tour. The use of lighting and sound also added to the suspense of the show. And the clock! I was clock watching and waiting for that 2:22 moment, such a great idea having this visible on the stage, it added to the suspense. Lighting by Lucy Carter, Sound by Ian Dickinson, Illusions by Chris Fisher, Set Design by Anna Fleischle and Costume by Cindy Lin.
I had no idea how the story was going to end, but I really enjoyed it. Nothing worse than a great play and poor ending but fear not as this in my opinion was a GREAT finale. I was shocked, confused and had so many questions, but that’s the sign of a good play.
2:22 A Ghost Story is the perfect show to see in the run up to Halloween! Get scared and get guessing as to how this story ends! At Theatre Royal Brighton until Saturday 28thOctober 2023. Shows every evening at 7.30pm, and matinee shows Thursday & Saturday at 2.30pm. Book tickets HERE.
*gifted tickets*