Step Behind The Stage
2:22 A Ghost Story
New Theatre, Peterborough - 24/11/25
Review by Alex King
Photo Credit: Helen Murray
If you are somehow unaware of the international hit that is 2:22 A Ghost Story, then you have missed the explosion of Danny Rubin's thriller that has played in multiple West End theatres, toured the UK, and seen huge success overseas. It is now touring once more with a cast made up of returning faces and new actors joining the production.
2:22 tells the story of Jen, a new mother who feels she is being haunted every night at the exact same time. Desperate to prove it, she invites her friends to dinner with herself and her husband to see if there really is such a thing as ghosts. In terms of story, that is all I will say. A huge part of the draw of a spooky story such as this is the mystery surrounding it, and 2:22 is no exception. As the cast took their bows, giant words appeared asking audiences to keep the secret, which has only worked in the production’s favour. For nearly five years audiences have managed to maintain the mystery, and I will ensure I play my part in that.
Photo Credit: Helen Murray
A small cast of six bring this story to life, with Jen, Sam, Lauren, and Ben acting as the core four for most of the show. Their chemistry feels natural, and as the tension builds, their dynamics bounce off one another in a way that pushes everything towards the climax of the night. Rubin’s exploration of differing beliefs and questions around what separates a ghost from a memory or from basic science works as a smart undertone that carries the plot without ever feeling forced onto a scary story.
For theatrical thrillers, judgment often comes down to two primary factors: the believability of the illusions and the uneasy but welcome feeling of chills down your back. Magic Circle member Chris Fisher has designed effects that feel grounded and never over the top. They help bring the haunting story to life, especially in one particularly gripping scene that I shall keep quiet about. These illusions, paired with Ian Dickinson's unsettling but excellent sound design, create moments of quiet fear as well as sudden shocks that lifted people from their seats. Ultimately, everything works together to build 2:22’s legacy as a standout ghost story for the twenty-first century.
Cast on the Night:
Kevin Clifton – Sam
Stacey Dooley – Jenny
Grant Kilburn – Ben
Shvorne Marks – Lauren
Rochelle Harvey – Company
Paul Sockett – Company