2:22 A Ghost Story At Royal & Derngate Northampton Review
DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW
Reviewed by Zoey Caldwell
I have seen posters and online images for the play 2:22 A Ghost Story for quite some time now and was intrigued as to how scary it would be. Tonight, I was lucky enough watch the play at the Royal & Derngate, Northampton.
The story is set in London, and the scene remains the half renovated open plan living area of a couple hosting a dinner party. Sam (James Bye) and Jenny (Shvorne Marks) play a couple in their first year of parenting hosting dinner for Sam’s old university friend Lauren (Natalie Casey) and her latest beau Ben (Grant Kilburn). Battling the tiredness of an unsettled baby and the huge renovation they are undertaking, cracks start to appear in ambience when Jenny mentions some unsettling occurrences she experienced while Sam was away working. Sam is an intellectual, a realist, a scientist and dismisses his wife’s experiences – the night becomes tense. The atmosphere between the two men is fraught with Sam believing that Ben is beneath him, belittling his beliefs and mocking his spiritual upbringing. Vast amounts of alcohol are consumed, the weather is wild and foxes are creating havoc outside, all adding to the ever- darkening atmosphere in the house.
Jenny is convinced that Frank the recently deceased husband of the woman they bought the house from is responsible – somehow not happy with the changes that they are making to the home he so lovingly created with his wife. Lauren is drunk and non-committal to either argument, but Ben grew up a spiritualist and backs Jenny at every turn. Lauren and Ben agree to stay until 2:22 to witness the phenomenon that Jenny speaks of and this angers Sam. As the evening continues tempers are frayed, that is where I leave the plot, no spoilers here!
James Bye plays the know it all husband very well, annoyingly well, we all know somebody that is a bit of a know it all – but it appears that Sam really does know it all – he is a true academic and leaves others in his wake, ”I think you’ll find” is a running joke with those that know him well. Shvorne Marks plays the tired and over worked Jenny well, with her little jibes regarding Sam’s lack of domestic help (that I am sure most co-habiting people can relate to) a common thread in the tensions. However, I do feel there was a lot of swearing from Jenny, I am not a prude by any means, but I don’t think that it was necessary all the time.
Lauren (Natalie Casey) works in mental health but has not really dealt with an unrequited love that leads to way too much drinking, she is an irritating drunk! I know there are references to her childhood in America, but I am not sure the accent is necessary and there were a few times that Natalie lost it. Her relationship with Ben (Grant Kilburn) is on shaky ground, he knows he is second best to her first love but tries to keep her happy, I felt sorry his character. He is belittled, shouted and treated poorly by Sam throughout the entire evening.
There are some loud bangs, be prepared for that. The plot has a twist bigger than a Helter Skelter and the play is cleverly written and performed very well. My friend wants to watch it again now she knows the twist so she can look for clues! There are quite a few, cleverly hidden like Easter eggs in the script and plot – a group of secondary children were critiquing the show at the end they were so insightful of these clues, none of which my 50-year-old brain picked up on.
2:22 A Ghost Story is not spooky; it is not creepy or scary it is extremely clever, expertly written and executed brilliantly.
Rating: 4/5
Tickets cost from £12 plus £3.50 transaction fee on tickets over £20
2:22 A Ghost Story is at the Royal & Derngate, Northampton from 8th -17th January 2026, for more information and to book visit https://222aghoststory.com/uk-tour-tickets/ or call the box office on 01604 624811
Royal & Derngate, 19-21 Guildhall Road, Northampton. NN1 1DP