Review: 2:22 A GHOST STORY, The Alexandra - Tour
Photo credit: Helen Murray
When playwright Danny Robins, known for his work on The Battersea Poltergeist podcast, made his West End debut with 2:22 A Ghost Story, he showed he really understands what gets under your skin. It is not just the usual bumps in the night, but the deeper fears we carry around with us. The play premiered at the Noël Coward Theatre in 2021 and is now on another UK tour, quickly becoming one of London’s most talked about new shows.
2:22 A Ghost Story follows Jenny and her husband Sam, who begin to experience strange noises in their new home, always occurring at exactly 2:22 a.m. During a dinner party with friends, their differing beliefs create tension as scepticism and fear collide. As the evening progresses, secrets are revealed and the line between the rational and the supernatural becomes increasingly blurred.
The current cast, with Stacey Dooley as Jenny, Kevin Clifton as Sam, Shvorne Marks as Lauren, and Grant Kilburn as Ben, bring fresh energy to roles previously played by other household names. Dooley stands out with a natural presence that carries the audience through the suspense. The humour between the characters helps cut through the supernatural chill, and the lighting, sound, and some well-timed illusions deliver genuine gasps. However, frequent flashing lights and sudden screams during scene transitions feel like overused horror clichés. Given that most of the action takes place in a single room, these transitions sometimes feel unnecessary and could have been executed in a more subtle or creative way.
The set is deceptively simple, centred on a modern kitchen and dining area where windows, doors, and shadows carry much of the atmosphere. A red line around the stage subtly marks the outline of the house, adding a visual boundary without distracting from the action. The candle lit vigil is beautifully staged and well lit, providing a striking contrast to the rest of the play and adding real dynamic tension. While some plot twists may be predictable for those familiar with horror, the production still succeeds in generating moments of doubt and unease, tapping into the timeless curiosity and fear surrounding ghosts.
Overall, 2:22 A Ghost Story is a compact, easy to follow play that works well for today’s smart phone audience and has earned its fan base. The concept is captivating, and the second half of the play is notably stronger than the first. Grief is scary enough and yet this play is never quite brave enough to give us the bare bones. Despite leaning on a few tired horror tricks, it remains an engaging experience that keeps you watching, questioning, and on edge. For fans of ghost stories, it is worth seeing, even if it does not completely escape genre clichés.
*** Three stars
Reviewed by: Sophie Eaton