Theatre Royal Brighton – 6th-11th October 2025
2:22 A Ghost Story at Theatre Royal Brighton delivers a confident and chilling night of theatre that keeps the audience guessing until the final moment. Blending supernatural suspense with domestic drama, this production is polished, tightly acted and full of tension. What begins as an ordinary dinner party soon unravels into something far darker and the result is a clever and unsettling exploration of belief, fear and the things we choose not to see.
The story follows Jenny, who is convinced that her new house is haunted. Every night at 2:22 in the morning, she hears something strange. Her husband Sam, ever the sceptic, refuses to believe it. To settle the argument, they invite friends Lauren and Ben over for dinner and decide to stay awake to witness whatever happens. As the evening unfolds, nerves fray, secrets emerge and the atmosphere in the room grows thicker with every tick of the clock. It’s a sharp, contained setup that allows the tension to build beautifully.
Stacey Dooley gives a sincere and grounded performance as Jenny, bringing warmth and quiet conviction to a role that could easily slip into hysteria. Her portrayal feels authentic, full of small details that make Jenny’s fear both believable and moving. Kevin Clifton is excellent as Sam, the rational husband whose confidence slowly begins to crack. He balances charm with frustration, showing flashes of vulnerability beneath the bravado.
Shvorne Marks makes a strong impression as Lauren, composed on the surface but with a sense that she’s wrestling with her own beliefs, while Grant Kilburn’s Ben provides a relaxed, down-to-earth energy that lightens the tension at just the right moments. Together, they create a convincing, natural chemistry that keeps the play’s dialogue dynamic and believable.
Technically, the production is excellent. The set is a half-renovated home that feels real enough to live in, yet its exposed bricks and shadows make it quietly unnerving. The lighting design is particularly effective, using subtle shifts to turn ordinary moments into something sinister. The sound design is equally sharp, from the faint hums and distant noises to the sudden, jolting interruptions that make the whole theatre hold its breath. The digital clock on the wall, constantly counting towards 2:22, adds a steady, growing sense of dread that’s hard to shake.
The pacing is carefully judged. The first half lays the groundwork with humour and natural conversation, but always with a creeping unease underneath. The second half gathers momentum, with revelations that are both emotional and eerie. When the climax arrives, it’s satisfying without feeling predictable. It leaves just enough unanswered questions to keep you thinking long after you’ve left the theatre.
If there’s one small weakness, it’s that some moments of dialogue linger a little too long, slightly diluting the tension. But those pauses are brief, and the story soon tightens again. This isn’t a show that relies on big scares. Instead, it thrives on suggestion and psychological tension. That restraint is what makes it so effective.
Overall, 2:22 A Ghost Story is a gripping and stylish production that combines sharp writing with strong performances and an atmosphere that refuses to let go. It’s clever, unsettling and thoroughly enjoyable. A night at the theatre that proves the most frightening things are often the ones we can’t quite explain.
2:22 A Ghost Story review – 5 stars
Image credit – Helen Murray
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