Just over a year ago I headed to the West End to see Cheryl make her stage debut in Danny Robins’s 2.22 A Ghost Story, knowing little about it other than a reputation for starry casting and a scary tale.
Now it’s out on tour, and has come south of the river to Richmond, with a new cast including soap veteran Fiona Wade as Jenny, mother of baby Phoebe and wife of know-it-all Sam (George Rainsford).
Something strange has been happening in their new house while Jenny and Phoebe have been home alone. At 2.22 every morning, odd sounds come through the baby monitor – but what can they mean?
When Sam comes back from a trip, matters come to a head as Jenny persuades their friend Lauren (Vera Chok) and Lauren’s new boyfriend Ben (Jay McGuiness) to stand as witnesses to their creepy ghost.
Seeing this knowing the ending, I was set on spotting the clues as the play unfolds. There are quite a few, starting very close to the beginning. Anna Fleischle’s set has been amended slightly to accommodate regional venues, capturing the spirit of a house in flux.
Lauren and Sam are the sceptics who attempt to disprove any ghostly goings-on. They are science-minded individuals who go back a long way. Ben, a handyman, is more open-minded and is determined to solve the puzzle.
2.22 A Ghost Story does have its quick scare moments, but also a fair dose of humour while leading you to the solution. My companion at this performance was new to the play and didn’t guess the ending. It’s cleverly crafted so even when you know, you can enjoy the technical aspects.
Wade and Rainsford make a contrasting but believable couple. After seeing Cheryl’s Geordie Jenny last year, Wade’s briskly middle-class mum feels very different, while Sam’s disparaging snark makes you long to see him proved wrong.
Directed by Matthew Dunster and Isabel Marr, 2.22 A Ghost Story is a brisk piece of paranormal drama aimed to give audiences the shivers – the Richmond crowd certainly jumped and chattered when the shock moments came.
The ending, which like The Mousetrap‘s killer, you must keep under wraps, is a banger, worth waiting for, and emotionally powerful. I will say no more …
2.22 A Ghost Story is currently at Richmond Theatre as part of a UK tour – tickets here for all venues.
****
Image credit: Johan Persson