2:22 - A Ghost Story, Edinburgh Playhouse Review
Written by Jacqueline for Theatre and Tonic
Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review. All views are our own
2:22 A Ghost Story is a supernatural thriller which premiered in the West End in 2021 and has been spooking audiences across the UK ever since. The original production was performed at five different West End theatres, and the show has recently embarked on its second UK tour. This week, the tour has been haunting the Edinburgh Playhouse.
2:22 A Ghost Story has a simple premise. Jenny (Shvorne Marks) and Sam (James Bye) are a married couple who have recently moved into and renovated their new home. Sam is away for work, and every night at exactly 2:22am, Jenny experiences what she believes to be a haunting in their home. On the night that Sam returns from his work trip, his old friend Lauren (Natalie Casey) and her new partner Ben (Gary Lucy) visit the house for a dinner party. As the night progresses, conversations turn into battlefields. Science, religion, logic, paranoia and superstition are brought to the forefront, as the group decide to stay awake until 2:22am to decide once and for all if the house is truly haunted.
One of the most notable aspects of the show is its simplicity. The show takes place entirely in one set, with four main actors. Unfortunately, it took a while to see the cast gel together and get into the rhythm of the story, with several early interactions feeling a bit disjointed- as though the performers were waiting their turn to say their line, rather than playing characters who were authentically reacting to what was happening. Once the plot picked up and the dialogue began to feel more natural, the tension truly began to kick in. There are no elaborate special effects in this production, and yet even something as simple as a light going on or off heightened the unease in the auditorium. Having said that, some of the tropes exhibited may have been slightly predictable for those who engage with paranormal media more frequently. For somebody less au fait with the genre, this is a fresh and modern take on more traditional spooky stories.
As far as new writing goes, 2:22 A Ghost Story has done incredibly well to demonstrate this level of staying power. Having said that, it's unlikely that the show would have maintained this level of commercial success by relying purely on the show itself as opposed to its continuous casting of well-known performers. For a more refined connoisseur of paranormal media, this show brings nothing new to the table. However, if you're just looking for a fun night out and a good few jump scares, the show is absolutely worth a watch.
2:22 A Ghost Story plays at Edinburgh Playhouse until 30 May as part of a wider UK tour, which runs until 04 July.
★ ★ ★
