I always feel that a ghost story works really well in a theatre, especially somewhere like the New Theatre in Cardiff. It’s 110 years old, steeped in entertainment history and I’m sure has more than a few spooky tales to tell. So, when 2:22 A GHOST STORY opened last night we were doubly pleased to witness this relatively new play on one of our most historic stages.
The story also takes place in an old house, which is slightly worse for wear and clearly has a tale to tell.
At the end of the play ‘Shhh Please Don’t Tell‘ is projected onto the walls of the set, so never one to break a request, this review comes with no spoilers.
2:22 first took to the stage in 2021 and instantly became a hit with critics and seemingly every awards ceremony going. It’s picked up Olivier and What’s on Stage nominations and continues to be the play that actors want to be in and the audience really want to see. It’s easy to understand why with the ‘Uncanny‘ writer and paranormal expert DANNY ROBINS creating the show and MATTHEW DUNSTER and ISABEL BARR directing.
We follow a young couple, Jenny and Sam, played by TV favourites FIONA WADE and GEORGE RAINSFORD (watch our interview HERE). The story is set over two nights in their new home. At exactly 2:22am, Jenny hears the sound of someone moving around the house. There’s footsteps and crying coming from her daughter Phoebe’s bedroom. It doesn’t take long for Jenny to think the house is haunted.
Sam however is the cynical one. Things don’t go bump in the night because of spooky happenings, everything has a proper and logical explanation.
They invite their friends Lauren and Ben – VERA CHOK and JAY MCGUINESS for dinner, and before too long Jenny persuades them to stay until the witching hour of 2:22am.
The tension out in the audience was building as we got ever closer to the time, and with a few screams, well placed effects and more than a few jumps out in the auditorium we were all convinced that Jenny was right.
After many loud screams, very nervous laughter, and definite increased heartbeats, we asked the opening night audience about the show last night, and were they truly spooked by their 2:22 experience? We also caught up with one of the stars, Jay McGuiness…….
Fiona brings a real passion to the role of a slightly burnt out new Mum. Stressed and anxious, none of which is helped by the eerie sounds coming through the baby monitor. Support is what she needs from Sam, instead she gets his scepticism and indifference to what she’s experiencing with these unusual 2:22 events. In fact he spends most of the time during the dinner party trying to convince everyone why he’s right and his wife is just being irrational.
As Lauren Vera Chok puts in a masterful performance as the increasingly inebriated friend who also has past experiences which are brought out through the course of the dinner.
While the effects and jumps are fun, and the play is also incredibly funny, its the dialogue which keeps us locked into the characters. As the evening goes on the four share stories and experiences particularly Ben who recalls his childhood and the time he took part in a séance with his Mother.
As with all social events where drink, tension and strained friendships are brought to the fore, it makes for an intense watch, and 2:22 certainly had extreme moments of suspense.
There’s a real discomfort in the air, not so much from the Ghost Story part of the show but the atmosphere between both couples and the added music which plays under parts of the show. Don’t get me wrong, you will scream and jump yourself and if you’re in the theatre with someone else be prepared to grab their hand for a tight squeeze, and vive-versa.
I have to give mention to the set by ANNA FLEISCHLE which really captures the feel of an old house, recently bought by a young couple with everything not quite as they’d want it. The glass doors at the back of the set will definitely be a focus of your gaze occasionally. I often stared at them wondering if anything was going to happen at, or through them.
Without giving anything away, the sign said – ‘Shhh Please Don’t Tell‘, so we won’t, I can tell you that all the hype around the play is well deserved. The tension from everything you see and hear grows as we move deeper into the story. I really loved too the use of the clock, clearly visible for us all to see. As it approached that magic number the stress in the audience definitely increased, along with a slight murmur of dread.
2:22 A GHOST STORY is at the New Theatre in Cardiff through to Saturday 27th. Performances are at 7:30pm with a 2:30pm matinee on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Although it would be very cool of it actually started at 2:22 (it doesn’t by the way). For more details, and tickets, go HERE.
