2:22 A Ghost Story at The Regent – Review
If you love a good ghost story then the Regent Theatre, Hanley has a treat for you as the long awaited 2:22 A Ghost Story hits the stage.
Written by Danny Robbins, this West End show has been running since 2021, but its the first time in Stoke – Review by Mel Osborne
The show headlines Stacy Dooley and Kevin Clifton as Jenny and Sam – who are settling into their new house – only Jenny is convinced it is haunted.
Sam does not believe so and makes fun of Jen’s fears and when they host their first dinner party with old friend Lauren and new partner Ben, they argue about the likely hood of ghosts existing.
So…to prove a point, they all stay up to 2:22 to find out…
2:22 A Ghost Story joins a history of theatre shows that have questioned whether there is anything out there. From Charles Dickens ‘The Haunting’ to Susan Hill’s ‘The Woman in Black,’ the fear has often been rooted in the minds of the audience where imagination can be the scariest thing of all.
(Images supplied by the Regent Theatre. Credit Helen Murray)
From the moment the show starts, as an audience we feel ill at ease, watching in a theatre filled with history.
2:22 A Ghost Story is a refreshing take on the traditional ghost story and is brought up to date with modern technology, baby monitors, Alexa’s and thermostats.
Throughout the evening the two couples argue, bicker and tensions rise.
Conversations explore and dissect the possibility of life after death and it examines the history of fear and parallels the fear of ghosts to the uncertainty of becoming a first-time parent.
Kevin Clifton as Sam is wonderfully unbearable. His stance as Mr Logic grinds as the show progresses.
Stacey Dooley plays the part as Jenny competently with passion and reasoning.
With the show being written by a journalist and podcast host, it does resonate that the casting was made to reflect the exploration of the truth – something all good journalists strive for.
Grant Kilburn as Ben and Shvorne Marks as Lauren are strong performers as the new couple who appear to have a short-lived relationship.
There are many secrets in this show but what can be shared is that it is certainly worth a watch.
The script was lively, engaging and relevant to today’s society and it managed to cover many topics before spiralling back round to the one burning question – Is their life after death?
There is far more to this show than jump scares and afterwards you will be dissecting what happens for days…
With Halloween around the corner 2:22 A Ghost Story is a perfect start to the autumn season.
5 Stars
