2:22 A Ghost Story, has arrived at The Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham and I couldn’t be happier. It’s one of those shows you’ve heard mentioned so much as a must-see show in the West End (winner of Best New Play at the WhatsonStage awards), and yet, other than knowing it is a ghost story, you know nothing more about it. Well, this is your chance to book tickets and head along to find out what it is all about in our hometown of Birmingham.
I headed along this evening in excitement, and can reveal it was well worth the wait.
A beautifully written play by Danny Robins (award-winning writer and creator of the hit BBC podcasts Uncanny and The Battersea Poltergeist), directed by Matthew Dunster and Isabel Marr, which encompasses so many different aspects of theatre. It is a thriller, a drama, and a comedy with moments that had me laughing outloud at jokes and also jumping at other parts.
The story is set around a school teacher, Jenny (Fiona Wade), who has been having some strange experiences at home. Her husband, Sam (George Rainsford), is a sceptic and isn’t having any of it. Their differences cause an argument during the first dinner party in their new home with old University friend Lauren (Vera Chok) and her new partner, Ben (Jay McGuiness). Debates begin as the existence of ghosts is questioned.
Directed with finesse and performed with undeniable brilliance from all of the cast. It is a whole team effort as the creative and cast perform a masterpiece.
The set design and lighting deserve to be highlighted. The stage scenery in the main doesn’t change, but instead, clever lighting and sound effects come into play to give you those jump scares. Part of me wants to come back and see the show again to see different aspects of it.
2:22 is thrilling and funny (yes, funny – you wouldn’t expect that with a ghost story) and makes a brilliant change to traditional theatre shows, leaving me contemplating… do ghosts really exist? What do you think?
A must-see!
Show dates and timings at The Alexandra Theatre:
Tue 16 Jan – Sat 20 Jan at 19:30
Wed 17 Jan and Sat 20 Jan at 14:30
Fri 19 Jan at 15:30
Age guidance: 12+