The nervous energy amongst the audience was palpable from the foyer, and heightened senses were rife. Despite talks of stunt-casting haunting my preconceptions of the show, it genuinely surpassed every expectation and was both an incredibly enjoyable and accomplished production.
2:22 A Ghost Story transforms The Alexandra into a work in-progress living room/ kitchen of a trendy London flat. A large digital clock on the wall counts us down through a 24-hour cycle, setting an atmosphere of tension and excitement as we await the arrival of the dreaded 2:22.
The show centres around a dinner party, hosted by new parents Sam (George Rainsford) and Jenny (Fiona Wade). Newly formed couple Ben (Jay McGuiness) and Lauren (Vera Chok) are invited over to enjoy a home-cooked meal and a glass of wine or two. Tensions begin to rise as they explore and, in Sam’s case, dispute the idea of a ghost being in the house. However, most of the tension is formed in the interrelationships between the characters as they experience new love, parental responsibilities and the banalities of life in the working world. Writer Danny Robins succeeds in creating a spectrum of beliefs amongst the dinner hosts and invitees, and in building an awkward, palpable atmosphere between the couples. The story is both interesting and believable and succeeds in thoroughly drawing you into the ghostly goings on.
The lighting and sound design is another key strength of this impressive and ambitious production. With lighting design by Lucy Carter, and sound by Ian Dickinson, the two work in perfect harmony to build and sustain a tense and chilling atmosphere. The temperature in the theatre plummets with each subtle lighting and sound change by this expert duo, which greatly enhances the overall experience.
My encounter with 2:22 A Ghost Story was one of genuine horror and delight. But what I didn’t expect, was the humorous nature of the production. This was another surprising, yet enjoyable feature which added to the overall strength of the play. I cannot go into any further detail without giving away any spoilers. So, all that is left to say is book tickets as soon as you can. You will not be disappointed.
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