Debuting back in Summer 2021, ‘2:22: A Ghost Story’ has been thrilling audiences ever since. Now on its sixth West End Residency, an extensive UK tour has simultaneously been happening. I managed to catch it at its final stop at The Lowry to find out more.
Shortly after moving into a new house, couple Jenny (Fiona Wade) and Sam (George Rainsford) hear strange noises early each morning, at 2:22 to be precise! When hosting a dinner party for their friend Lauren (Vera Chok) and her new partner Ben (Jay McGuiness) they try to find a logical explanation for these strange early morning occurrences.
With household frustrations and living room debates, alongside characters talking over each other, it keeps an air of believability and relatability throughout. Mixing it up with drama and plenty of dark comedy, Danny Robins expert writing will have you gripped. Wade leads the company with conviction, with McGuiness being a particular standout as working-class Ben who doesn’t quite fit in with the rest of the group.
To call ‘2:22’ a horror would be slightly misleading, it is howeve exactly what it says; a ghost story. More of a thriller/drama, it does have plenty of jump scares littered throughout. These jump scares are more due to sudden loud noises and bright lights, used to signify the end of a scene. Although this worked well, it would have perhaps been more satisfying if the scares were more closely related to the narrative itself.
As voyeurs to the evenings events, we become quickly enthralled in the story and invested in the characters. With a twist that few would see coming, the climax to the story is successful and entirely satisfying. As is tradition with the genre, you are kindly asked to keep the story it a secret. It will leave you wanting to watch it again, to pick up on all the clues that you won’t believe you missed the first time around!
With all the makings of a future classic, 2:22 is gripping night at the theatre. It is on at The Lowry until Saturday 15 June, where it finishes its UK tour.
Note: My ticket was gifted. Irrespective of whether a show is gifted or bought, I always ensure that my reviews are fair and based on my honest opinion alone.