2:22 A Ghost Story is a very unique theatre experience. You go in expecting a thriller, and that is certainly what you get.
Throughout 22 A Ghost Story, it makes use of some cheap jump scares. However, in one of the most bizarrely unifying experiences I’ve had in theatre, I found myself and my fellow audience members laughing at our jumpiness after each scare, which kind of made them worth it.
Once you have settled into the rhythm of the play, a story unfolds, which is genuinely funny, philosophical, and enthralling. If you’ve heard of 2:22, then you’ve most likely heard that there is a big twist in the play – and knowing this when you take your seat is no bad thing.
Writer Danny Robins clearly wants us to think and analyse as we watch, and each of the four characters gives us plentiful food for thought. They are all multi-faceted and interesting, and most importantly, they all keep you guessing. Understudy Paul Lockett was superb, as were principles Shvorne Marks, Grant Kilburn, and Natalie Casey. I forgot that I wasn’t actually eavesdropping on a conversation between two dysfunctional couples for much of the play.
Likewise, the set design is fantastic. An open plan kitchen and living room under renovation that wouldn’t look out of place on Grand Designs, with an outside garden area to the rear, and an enormous red LED strip around the proscenium has no business being so unobtrusive on stage.
Overall, this is a play that you should absolutely see. Act 1 is possibly guilty of not getting to the point quickly enough, but so are so many excellent plays. It may not be your favourite show you see this year. You may not like the twist or the jump scares. But the story was so powerful that when leaving the theatre, there was a hum of excitement from everyone to discuss what we’d all just watched. 2:22 A Ghost Story unexpectedly brought out the community and camaraderie of theatre, and I want to go and watch it again.
For more information about 2.22 A Ghost Story and future productions at New Victoria Theatre Woking, please use the link below.
Four Stars.
Reviewed by David Joyce.
Theatre, Art and Film Reviews 
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