2:22 A GHOST STORY: PROMISING PREMISE, MIXED EXECUTION

By Tanya Howard | Founder, The Live Review London · @glamglitzlondon ⭐⭐ | Press Invite

As a big fan of thrillers, you can imagine I was very drawn to 2:22 A Ghost Story. Written by Danny Robins, it promised a thrilling take on the haunted house genre. The plot centred on supernatural occurrences in new home sounded compelling and intriguing. Maybe my expectations were too high, but I struggled to connect fully with the show. Ultimately, 2:22 A Ghost Story Offered a mixed experience that left me wanting more.

The storyline hinges on jenny’s belief that their house is haunted. Particularly by a present manifesting itself at 2:22AM. Whilst this premise has potential, the execution often felt dragged out with tension building unevenly. Her husband Sam is sceptical which creates a central conflict that is intriguing but occasionally feels repetitive. Themes of belief versus scepticism and the psychological impact of fear are explored but struggled to hold my interest. The narrative felt drawn out at times, with tension that ebbed and flowed unevenly.

The set design portrays an ordinary home with subtle unsettling elements. One of the central elements of the set is a large digital clock counting down to 2:22. The use of the clock is intended to heighten anticipation, but sadly for me became a reminder of the plays prolonged pacing. I found myself at times thinking “There’s hours to go until we hit 2:22, what will they fill the time with?”.

HAVE I COME TO EXPECT TOO MUCH FROM A PLAY OR WAS I JUST DISAPPOINTED THAT IT FELL SHORT OF MY EXPECTATIONS

The characters are relatable, but I struggled to connect with them on a deeper level. Jenny’s fear is a driving force, but her portrayal sometimes veers into melodrama. Sam scepticism and dismissive attitude, though occasionally humorous, seemed one-dimensional. Lauren and Ben added some variety, we’ve been bringing much needed comedic relief, but their contributions felt underused. The dynamics between the characters often lacked the complexity needed to sustain my interest.

Matthew Dunster’s direction managed to create moments of genuine suspense. But I felt there was more of a reliance on jump scares rather than tension filled build ups. The confined setting of the house was used effectively, but the pacing issues detracted from the overall atmosphere. Sound and lighting play crucial roles in building atmosphere, although I found it was mixed success.

As someone who regularly reviews shows, maybe I have come to expect too much from a performance. Or maybe I just wanted this show to be a hit with me and was surprised it fell short of my expectations. The scares felt more like cheap jumps than genuinely creepy moments, and the storyline dragged. The twist at the end failed to make a strong impact on me and I felt dissatisfied. However, the play did find an appreciative audience in my friend, suggesting that it may resonate better with different audiences.

2:22 A Ghost Story offers moment of intrigue but struggles to maintain a compelling narrative. The cast did their utmost with the material provided and delivered commendable performances. Whilst it provides an adequate evening of entertainment, it may not leave a lasting impression on those seeking more substantial thrills.

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