Theatre Review - 2:22 - A GHOST STORY, PEOPLE'S THEATRE, NEWCASTLE

Written by Danny Robins, the play focuses on the relationship between belief and science as two couples discuss whether or not they believe in ghosts. Jenny has been alone for three days in the house she and husband Sam have been renovating. When Sam returns, just in time, for a dinner party, he finds that Jenny now believes their new home is haunted. Their guests, Lauren (Sam’s old friend from Uni) and Ben (her new boyfriend), agree to stay up until 2:22 to find out who is right, Jenny or Sam. It’s surprisingly light-hearted and very funny, with well-developed characters. This adds all the more to the mounting tension and will have you jumping many times throughout the production. I think many people will probably guess the ending before reaching it; however, it doesn’t matter, as the show moves so swiftly it carries you willingly to its unsettling conclusion. The story builds on itself, bringing you deeper and deeper inside until you are fully immersed.

Photo by Paul Hood

Director Anna Dobson must be commended to for creating such a fantastically well-rounded production. The first half was good, with a few jump scares here and there, but oh, Act Two! An almost palpable electricity filled the theatre as the second half of the show washed over us all. The sound design (Tracey Lucas) had the audience’s reactions in the palm of its hand, from humorous moments from Alexa, to terrifying noises, all perfectly timed. Lighting design (Claire Brissenden and Ben Nielson-Rouse) was very effective at setting and changing the tone when needed, also with impeccable timing. The play opened on an intricate work-in-progress family home, complete with kitchen, and with a screen to show the countdown – and the set (Set Design, Sands Dobson) was well thought out and well dressed, grounding the play in the mundane reality of day-to-day life.

Photo by Paul Hood

Performers Laura Astin and Max Earnshaw set the perfect tone when needed as ‘Company’. Holly Stamp was brilliant as the highly-strung mother and wife Jenny, as she tries to finally assert her own feeling and beliefs. Kay Edmundson downplays her role nicely as the sarcastic and flirtatious therapist Lauren. Sam Hinton makes the opinionated and arrogant Ben likeable, despite his foibles, and delivers his lines with wit. Sam Burrell is charming, funny, and just plain great as hard-working cockney Ben.

A perfect start to the spooky season!

2:22 – A Ghost Story is showing at The People’s Theatre, until 24^th October.