In 2005 we bought a Victorian cottage that for the last fifty years had been home to the headmaster and headmistress of the village school. This much-loved family home needed bringing into the modern age and we were excited to do it. On day one as we were ripping up the bedroom carpets we saw a figure standing on the landing and a glass vase flew off the dressing table in the main bedroom. Sitting down and watching 2.22 A Ghost Story certainly brought back some memories…
Written by Danny Robins, who you may well know from the haunting Uncanny Podcast and follow-up BBC TV show, 2.22 A Ghost Story asks some very good questions about what it is to be both the haunted and the haunter whilst delivering plenty of jumps and a killer twist at the end.
New parents Sam and Lauren have bought themselves a ‘doer upper’ the former family home of an old couple who lavished it with DIY love that they cannot wait to rip out. As Sam (Nathanial Curtis) returns from a hiking trip, Jenny is busy preparing to entertain an old uni friend and her new, rough around the edges, boyfriend. The wine is poured, and the risotto is reducing on the hob but Jenny (Lauren Lytton) can’t relax. Whilst Sam has been away, each night at 2.22 she’s heard footsteps over the baby monitor.
Logic-focused Sam doesn’t believe her. Uni friend Lauren (Charlene Boyd) is sceptical but may have own ghost story to tell. The new boyfriend Ben (Joe Absolom) is not only a believer but may actually be sensitive to the spirits. I guess the only thing to do is to stay awaked until 2.22 to see what happens.
And that’s where I will say no more as I don’t want to give anything away. It’s really hard to review a show where you really don’t want to give anything away. What I can say though is that I loved every spooky second of it. 2.22 A Ghost Story truly sets your nerves on edge, is clever, funny and satisfyingly scary. The four-handed cast is strong and believable and does well to maintain the tension especially as they stay on stage for almost all of the production. Lighting by Lucy Carter is effective adds to audience tension and Anna Fleischle’s half finished house set is an eery space in which to spend an evening.
Perhaps the best part of 2.22 A Ghost Story though, is the drive home when you get to replay everything you’ve seen, look for clues and ask yourself do you really believe?
2.22 A Ghost Story is at Curve until Saturday 11th November before continuing its tour across the UK.
Tickets at www.curveonline.co.uk or follow the tour at www.222aghoststory.com
