2:22: A Ghost Story

Do you believe in ghosts? That’s the eternal question posed by 2:22: A Ghost Story when it arrived at Sheffield’s Lyceum theatre this June. Danny Robins’ seminal play has earned rave reviews around the world since its debut in 2021 and it’s easy to see why. The play revolves around a dinner party in a creepy London apartment. The apartment’s new owners have recently moved in and suspect that there may be a supernatural entity living alongside them. Their two friends arrive for the dinner party and what follows is a slow, bubbling stew of tension and anxiety that leaves you on the edge of your seat and has you absolutely gripped for the entire journey.

This isn’t your usual ghost story though. There is so much going on within the show that it almost feels designed to be experienced more than once just to take it all in. The show explores a staggering number of philosophical topics as the four central characters battle with their belief, or lack thereof, in the supernatural. Everything from parenthood, grief, relationships, religion, gentrification and our relationship with our heritage is explored in a jam packed two hour run time. It is an excellent example of deep, psychological storytelling that effortlessly unravels layer after layer. It has all the classic tropes of horror productions; an unsighted corridor, flickering lights, patio doors and the obligatory a creepy baby. What makes 2:22: A Ghost Story so special though, is its ability to subvert these tropes to send the audience into an anxiety driven tailspin.

Ultimately, as the characters say during the show it is the gaps in between that are truly the scariest. The show plays with the gaps between sound and silence, light and darkness and tension and humour. Tension permeates throughout even the most mundane of scenes without ever feeling too horrific or claustrophobic. There is some jump scares that seem entirely designed just to transition between scenes as opposed to actually serving or developing the plot. Alongside this, some of the acting does occasionally feel a little over the top but the show more than makes up for it with its incredible script, set design and creative direction.

2:22: A Ghost Story is a modern theatre classic. It is just another reminder of what makes live theatre so special and unique. This is a show that you will want to see over and over again and it is absolutely not to be missed. 2:22: A Ghost Story is at Sheffield’s Lyceum Theatre from Monday 1st to Saturday 6th June.