Review: 2:22 A GHOST STORY, Gielgud Theatre

Photo credit: Helen Murray

*SPOILER FREE*

It's that time again... 2:22. What's going to happen this time? As a brand new, all-star cast revolves this horror/comedy play at the Gielgud Theatre, what's been happening to Jenny for the past four nights? And why is it always at the same exact time?

We've said this before, but we'll say it again, 2:22 is Danny Robins' masterclass in suspense and verbal misdirection. The beauty of the piece is that, whilst it is a ghost story, and the temptation to fill stage with illusions is there, this show chooses to focus more on its writing and direction of its characters to expertly build and break tension.

Every line spoken by the characters feels like it comes from a very real and natural place. The script flows brilliantly, thoroughly exploring every one of the four characters' dynamics without ever feeling forced. And while all this is going on, breadcrumbs are constantly being dropped that, at first, may be played off as a joke that we are made to think nothing of but then, in the climax of the piece, when the clock strikes 2:22, you realise that everything was there, right in front of you, hidden expertly in plain sight. And now that we've seen this show twice, it seems all the more obvious right from the start, which we write as the highest of compliments to director Matthew Dunster and writer Danny Robins.

This new cast also brings a freshness to the piece, very much taking the characters in different directions and making it their own. Stephanie Beatriz (known to most of you as Rosa Diaz from Brooklyn 99) breathes a playful life into Lauren, who is almost the audience's representative on stage, trying to decide what is real and what isn't. She plays surprisingly wonderfully against James Buckley's hilarious Ben - a combination we never expected but love on stage. And as the show goes on and more about their relationship is revealed, both actors do wonderfully in propelling the writing forward.

Reigning Queen of the Castle Giovanna Fletcher holds her own on stage as Jenny but at times is overshadowed by the other performers she is sharing the stage with. Her performance is a little two noted and whilst every other actor's performance flows and builds incredibly well to certain revelations, Fletcher leaps from calm to screaming and back to calm again without much in-between.

This show will shock you, scare you, and more importantly stay with you long after you leave the theatre. It's, at times, genuinely hilarious and also heartbreaking. You're bound to have an interesting time, Besties.

**** Four stars

Reviewed by: Callum Wallace

2:22 A Ghost Story is currently booking at the Gielgud Theatre until 12 February 2022, with tickets available here.