2:22 - time for a scary and entertaining night

REVIEW: '2:22 A Ghost Story' at New Theatre

This award-winning supernatural drama from the pen of Uncanny podcaster Danny Robins opened in Cardiff last night (Monday) to an enthusiastic reception.

There are goosebumps, jump-scares, and laughter, as the events of one night unfold in the old house, where new parents Jenny (Shvorne Marks) and Sam (James Bye) are trying to settle in.

Jenny is convinced the house is haunted - she hears noises at 2:22 every night in their baby's bedroom. But academic Sam insists there's a scientific explanation for everything.

When old friend Lauren (Natalie Casey) and her new partner Ben (Grant Kilburn) come over for dinner, the debate rages.

Have their 'improvements' to the house angered the spirit of its former owner? Is their daughter in danger?

It's agreed - they will all stay up until 2:22 to find out.

Nominated for three Olivier Awards and winner of Best New Play in the WhatsOnStage Awards, 2:22 A Ghost Story has earned a reputation as a scary and entertaining two hours. And it doesn't disappoint.

Danny Robins, creator of the BBC podcasts Uncanny and The Battersea Poltergeist, draws on his extensive research to create a convincing scenario in which ordinary people are initially unsettled and ultimately terrified by events they can't explain. Screeching foxes in the garden, a faulty outside light, and a misbehaving smart speaker are part of the story. But there's much more going on, and increasingly it seems to be because of something supernatural.

Sometimes funny, sometimes thought-provoking, and often scary, 2:22 A Ghost Story is among the most satisfying (by which I mean frightening!) supernatural plays I've ever seen.

If the jump-scares in the first half seem a little too telegraphed and oversold, that can't be said of the second half when the story unfolds further, and the play becomes genuinely creepy.

The excellent cast, which also includes Rochelle Harvey and Paul Sockett, deliver highly convincing performances, as the increasingly stressful situation puts new strains on relationships.

If you're a fan of Uncanny, this is a must-see. But it's also perfect for anyone who enjoys a good ghost story or an unnerving mystery.

Director Matthew Dunster does a great job in ratcheting up the tension and balancing the humour with the fear. And the set design by Anna Fleischle is outstanding in creating a convincing half-finished kitchen-dining room, where all the action takes place - layers of wallpaper exposed in places, hinting at previous generations and the stories this house could tell.

Lighting (Lucy Carter) and sound design (Ian Dickinson for Autograph) play key roles in setting the mood, accentuating the scares and punctuating the action.

2:22 A Ghost Story continues at the New Theatre until Saturday (21 February). You can book tickets here or from the box office on 0343 310 0041.

Review by Andy Weltch

Photos by Helen Murray

We received free tickets for this performance in exchange for an honest review