REVIEW: 2:22 A Ghost Story at The Lyric Theatre

2.22 – A Ghost Story is kind of a West Finish phenomenon, not a lot due to its topic of paranormal exercise within the bed room of an old school London home however due to its capability to draw an viewers on the idea of the star casting as Jenny, the younger mom who studies experiencing some disturbing exercise at 2.22 am on every of the previous couple of nights. Lily Allen (5.1 m twitter & 1.5m Instagram followers) opened the present on the Noel Coward in August 2021, Giovanni Fletcher (465k Twitter & 2m Instagram followers) performed the Gielgud, Laura Whitmore (438k twitter & 1.5 m Instagram followers) performed on the Criterion and now Cheryl (previously often called Cheryl Cole) with 5.5 m Twitter and three.4m Instagram followers stars within the present for the quick season on the Lyric. Little question the jubilant producers are already planning its subsequent shocking solid announcement and one other transfer of venue on the finish of the present run. The casting is clearly designed to enchantment to the followers of those younger high-profile stars and appears to be working very successfully so evaluations will hardly have an effect on gross sales as every star brings the publicity and fan base to make sure a profitable run.

Her husband Sam is performed with an boastful tremendous intelligent perspective by Scott Karim, a person with loads to say however who received’t elevate a finger to assist. He has simply returned from a visit to the Isle of Sark and claims to have misplaced his cellphone. Their company are the unlikely couple of Sam’s outdated College good friend Lauren performed by Louise Ford and the East Finish geezer Ben, with Jake Wooden returning to the function he created on its first outing. Over the course of the night, they reveal their very own ghost tales and discover the truths and myths of ghost theories in a witty and entertaining script by Danny Robins affected by visible and spoken clues as to what we’re observing. To say extra would spoil the twists and turns however it would maintain you guessing till the two:22 second.

The set design by Anna Fleischle acts as a fifth character, a curious room with peeled again wallpaper revealing previous historical past, an unfeasibly excessive ceiling the place the haunted bed room must be and a brand new fashionable door to the backyard by which we expertise the sight and sound of city foxes mating in excessive pitched squeals that add to the strain. Dominating the room are two digital clocks which present the passing of time because the night progresses in the direction of the second of fact. Matthew Dunster’s path is taut and pacy with huge laughs to interrupt the strain, a couple of surprises to ramp it up once more and strained relationships examined by occasions. It sweeps you alongside so there’s hardly time to piece collectively the clues making the ultimate reveal all of the extra fulfilling and leaving you piecing all of it collectively on the best way dwelling.

The audiences can be filled with Cheryl followers I’m positive and because the lights dimmed at first there have been massive whoops of enjoyment from them in addition to a standing ovation on the finish and little question many will return for a second go to when the information of the reality will add to the enjoyment of the important thing moments within the play. Actually it’s a play that may stand a second viewing though I’d wait to see who performs Jenny subsequent and what venue their West Finish tour continues to later this yr! It’s simple to see why this intelligent play is talked about alongside the lengthy operating Lady in Black and the Dyson and Nymen’s spooky Ghost Tales. What’s extra it would appeal to a youthful demographic to the West Finish and that could be a excellent information for Producers. 

Evaluation by George Butler