2.22: A Ghost Story
Newcastle Theatre Royal
13th April 2026
For this invitation, I took the opportunity to make a night of it and joined my companion in ‘The Green Room’ before the performance of Danny Robins’ “2.22: A Ghost Story.” Now serving food, The Green Room offers a very reasonable pre-theatre dining option meaning you can enjoy a 2 or 3 course meal right next door before taking your seats. It is well worth checking out for your next visit.
Back to the show. I have seen this spooky tale three times now and I can say, hand on heart, that I have taken something different from it on each viewing. Visually, it has changed very little with a cosy mid-conversion kitchen-diner on display throughout the production. The set (Anna Fleischle) is perfect giving a sense of comfort and discomfort in equal measures. The large animate digital clock disrupts the homely feel which adds to the strangeness of the familiar urban setting.
If you do feel comfortable on entering the auditorium, then it does not last long as we watch new mother Jenny (Shvorne Marks) busying herself with a spot of decorating before checking on her daughter in the accompanying room. That is where any comfort is lost. I will say no more.
It is always a little difficult to write a review for this kind of production as I have to be very careful to avoid spoilers. Suffice it to say that the story builds throughout the production. There is sleight of theatrical hand, some wizardry, and if you are prone to reaction at a jump scare (a category into which I fall, despite having seen the thing before) you may get a good workout during this spooky and intriguing tale.
In terms of why I find this different every time I see the show, well it very much depends on who is playing the four central characters and their portrayal. We have already met Jenny, next we are introduced to close friend Lauren (Natalie Casey) who explodes into the action and never lets up. Casey, known for her supporting role in Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps is outstanding in this nuanced and demanding role and she acquits herself magnificently – clearly revelling as the absurd, borderline alcoholic Lauren as she commands the stage and everyone’s attention on and off the performance area.
Jenny has a new boyfriend, not the first by any manner of means, in blue collar and salt of the earth Ben (Grant Kilburn) who offers a layman’s opinion on the story that unfolds. Finally, we meet Jenny’s husband Sam (James Bye.) Sam is a fearful know-it-all and does not hold back on proving it. He will give his opinions on anything, with references – yes one of that sort. He will also quite cheerfully correct you with his signature “I think you’ll find” verbal suffix. The tension between Bye and Kilburn is cranked up throughout the piece and how they do not end up thumping each other is quite amazing.
There is also a simmering undercurrent between Casey and Marks which works incredibly well but it is Robins’ writing that really brings this story story to life. There are a few things that I watched out for this evening knowing what was about to unfold and Matthew Dunster’s direction is clever and occasionally subtle with misdirection and the odd slight adjustment here and there to befuddle the brain of the observer. The lighting (Lucy Carter) gives some very subtle changes with some less than subtle blackouts to drive the scares. The sound (Ian Dickinson for Autograph) acts as a fifth main character and is very effective. I would have liked to have been in his office for the conversation where he was asked for a sound effect of two foxes rutting!
This is a thoughtful, entertaining, and disconcerting play. There are undercurrents of relationship mistrust, of socio-economic variance, of intellectual snobbery, and of domestic violence. There is a strong question of belief in the face of scientific understanding and Robins’ ability to draw all of this into a suburban soiree while cranking up the tension is quite remarkable.
I have told as much of the story as I am prepared to. One thing I would advise, it not to take your eyes or your ears off the action or you may miss something and find yourself returning again and again to fill in the gaps.
2.22: A Ghost Story plays at Newcastle Theatre Royal until Saturday and is well worth a visit.