2:22: A Ghost Story | Yvonne Arnaud

Following its triumphant West End debut in 2021, 2:22: A Ghost Story returns—this time on a UK tour—bringing spine-tingling suspense to audiences nationwide. Featuring a star- studded cast including Kevin Clifton and Stacey Dooley, the production fully delivers on the eerie intrigue that has surrounded it since its premiere. Having come into the theatre completely fresh, this reviewer can confidently say that the suspense, the surprises, and the chills all hit their mark.

The story centres on Jenny (Dooley), who becomes convinced that her new family home is haunted. Every night, precisely at the same time, something unsettling occurs—though exactly what remains a mystery. When Jenny and her husband host a dinner party, she is determined to prove that the strange happenings are real, even if no one believes her.

The show is set in the couple’s living room, which features an open floor plan kitchen and dining room, as well as a large window giving onto the terrace. The set by Anna Fleischle has a real rustic loft-charm, which was the object of several conversations throughout the show as the couple tried in vain to make the home their own. As charming as the décor is, it makes for an altogether eerie setting for a terrifying ghost story.

The show itself, however, features a plethora of sensory overloads. Whilst you do eventually get used to the jump scares and fox screams, they can be a bit difficult to look past, especially for someone who gets easily overstimulated. If this is the case, then 2:22 may not be the show for you. As much as this reviewer does not enjoy the idea of not recommending a brilliant show, the sensory overload of 2:22 is not easy to simply brush past as it happens quite frequently, and often unexpectedly to maximise the tense effect. This being said, for those who enjoy the occasional scare and moments of high tension, this is done very effectively throughout the show. It remains stimulating and engaging without becoming excessively overwhelming, though those sensitive to sensory intensity may disagree with this last point.

As for performances, Dooley brings warmth and credibility to Jenny’s growing unease, infusing the character with a desperate charm that makes the audience want to back her every step of the way. Opposite her, Clifton’s grounded charisma and streak of cynicism provide the perfect counterbalance, leaving the audience questioning who—and what—they can truly trust at every turn.

Completing the small cast are Shvorne Marks as Lauren and Grant Kilburn as Ben. Lauren is a childhood friend of Sam’s, and the pair’s chemistry is palpable throughout, further reinforcing the point that the casting by Matilda James CDG for this show is nothing short of ‘top-notch.’ Meanwhile, Ben is Lauren’s new boyfriend, a character that the audience takes more than a minute to warm up to, providing the perfect scapegoat for the one responsible for the supernatural act. However, one must remember that things are not always as they seem. The chemistry between the cast makes the dinner-party dynamic feel authentic, which only amplifies the discomfort when things start to unravel.

Ultimately, 2:22: A Ghost Story is a smart, tightly constructed piece of theatre that combines domestic realism with supernatural suspense. It’s eerie without being gratuitous, funny without losing its tension, and above all, deeply engaging from start to finish. Whether you’re a sceptic or a believer, you’ll leave the theatre debating what you’ve just seen—and perhaps listening a little more closely when the clock strikes 2:22.

2:22: A Ghost Story plays at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre until Saturday 01st November 2025.

★★★★★ (5*)

Gifted tickets in return for an honest review | Photography by Helen Murray