2:22 – A Ghost Story

Thrilling, funny and full of suspense, welcome to 2:22 – A Ghost Story. Playing at Her Majesty’s Theatre for a strictly limited four-week season, 2:22 tells the story of four friends, a tension-filled dinner party and a mission to uncover a ghostly truth.

Sam (Remy Hii) has been away from his wife Jenny (Gemma Ward) and their baby. Left alone in their new house, Jenny begins to hear disturbing noises. Night after night, at 2:22am, she is haunted by phantom footsteps and ghostly cries. When Sam returns, he dismisses her fear and explains away the noises. Things come to a head when their old friend, Lauren (Ruby Rose) and her new partner Ben (Daniel MacPherson) arrive for a visit. Terrified and frustrated by Sam’s condescending scepticism, Jenny convinces the group to stay up and discover the truth, once and for all.

Written by award-winning writer Danny Robbins, the supernatural thriller first debuted in London’s West End in 2021, quickly becoming a cult global phenomenon. Directed by Matthew Dunster, the Olivier-nominated production and winner of Best New Play (What’s on Stage) has been Aussie-fied to better appeal to a local audience. Macpherson carries most of this and provides the laughs as larrikin builder Ben, a ‘believer’ and the staunch opposite to Hii’s Sam – an annoying smarty-pants who makes you want to slap him. Ward’s Jenny is convincing as the young mother feeling overwhelmed by her need to protect her child while her sanity is being tested, and there is a strong sense that Rose’s Lauren is hiding something.

As a self-confessed musical fan who has only ever watched spooky movies from the safety of my couch, this play was a refreshing and exciting theatre experience. While overall it was enjoyably satisfying entertainment, the cast perhaps needed a bit more time in rehearsal, as there were a few noticeable fumbles. Hopefully this was simply opening night jitters! We left the theatre avidly discussing what we had just witnessed and wishing to see it again – there’s no better marker of success than that.

With a plot full of intrigue and a tense atmosphere that keeps its audience on the edge of their seats, 2:22 – A Ghost Story is not for the faint-hearted. Put aside your fear and push your boundaries, as it is worth checking out.

2:22 – A Ghost Story runs until August 20th at Her Majesty’s Theatre.

Images by Daniel Boud.