2:22 A Ghost Story | Sunderland Empire | 8th September 2025
Review by Stephen Stokoe
There are some shows that I really look forward to and this was one of them. Before I saw 2:22 A Ghost Story I knew nothing about but if you follow my reviews you will know there are a few things I absolutely love and that is theatrical wizardry and a blooming good scary story. This carefully crafted play has both.
There are some difficulties reviewing a play such as 2:22 A Ghost Story because there is an awful lot I just cannot write about for fear of spoiling the production for those who have not seen it. Suffice it to say that there are signposts and hints along the way which, if you are anything like me, you will not notice until you are walking away from the theatre thinking – oh right, yes, I see that now.
The story starts with young parents, Jenny (Stacey Dooley) and Sam (Kevin Clifton) who are entertaining long time friend Lauren (Shvorne Marks) and her new boyfriend Ben (Grant Kilburn) at their home and renovation project somewhere in suburbia. Sam has been away with research work and has just returned. While he’s been gone, Jenny has experienced some nocturnal anomalies which always occur at a specific time of night.
The play then considers people’s attitudes to events of a supernatural kind as well as discussing religion, belief, and relationships. There is a theme of the conflict between belief and science which runs through the play and is very interesting in and of itself.
The play is set entirely in the kitchen/diner of Sam and Jenny’s new property which they have bought from the recently widowed old lady. The set (Anna Fleischler) is superb and reflects the outdated decoration of the previous owner and the modernisation project of the new with a very modern new patio door which plays a significant role in the story which unfolds.
What strikes the audience even before the play starts, is the digital clock above the doorway and the foreboding soundtrack that begins long before the play does and gives a sense of unease. The fact that this is repeated before the start of act two only adds to the atmosphere and is a very clever and noticeable addition to the story.
The scene changes also play an important role in the productionand the audience’s reactions to them are as much a part of the experience as the story itself. There are some clever distraction techniques, beautifully executed by the director (Matthew Dunster) which baffle the audience and carry the supernatural storyline to its satisfying conclusion.
The sound design (Ian Dickinson (for Autograph)) is fantastic and plays an important role in this play. While there are only four actors in this production, it is the sound, lighting and direction that combine to make it the well rounded event that the audience experiences.
If you like a good story then 2:22 A Ghost Story is for you, if you like a jump scare then 2:22 A Ghost Story more than ticks all the boxes, if you want to be kept guessing, 2:22 A Ghost Story will certainly do that. The writing from Danny Robins is clever, witty and certainly makes you think on a number of levels including relationships, belief in the supernatural, and touches on class and educational prejudice.
I have seen this play twice now and I have no doubt that I would see things I had missed previously should I see it for a third.
The actors are all outstanding Dooley and Clifton have an obvious chemistry which is hardly surprising given they are married in real life, Marks is feisty while obviously academic, and Kilburn offers a nuanced but rough character that is instantly likeable and provides a perfect mirror to the knowledgable, scientific Sam.
Outstanding, spooky and very clever. 2:22 A Ghost Story has something for everyone.