2:22 A Ghost Story, at Milton Keynes Theatre Review
DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW
Reviewed by Amanda Dando
So excited today is the day, 2:22 A Ghost Story is arriving in Milton Keynes. I really hope it lives up to the good things I have heard about the show. Milton Keynes Theatre is set amongst some great bars and restaurants so if you get time before the show check them out, there is plenty of parking in the surrounding area.
There was a very distinct buzz in the very packed theatre. Suddenly everything went the blackest I’ve ever seen, the anticipation in the room could be felt. No body knew what was going to happen! Essentially the play centres around four characters, Sam played by Nathaniel Curtis (most recently of Its a Sin) his wife Jenny played by Louisa Lytton (Eastenders) who have Sam’s friend Lauren played by Charlene Boyd (River City) and her boyfriend Ben played by Joe Absolom (Doc Martin). The play is set in Sam and Jenny’s house, and Lauren and Ben have come round for dinner.
The set is very realistic and very much looks like a lounge dinner which could be any of our houses. Probably what does stand out is the digital clock above the living room door. Sometimes I found myself riveted to the clock, wondering what was going to come next, and why was 2:22 so very significant. Right from the opening scene, the tension began to build, this carried right through the show to its dramatic conclusion.
I always am astonished at how so few actors can hold the attention of a huge audience. You could have heard a pin drop, we were all waiting on every word, every twist. It is very probable that this is a play you should see twice. Just because strangely there is so much going on and to take in, I would like to see it again, to see if I pick up on different things.
All the actors on the stage should be applauded for their performances, the way the tension built, was a credit to them. Strangely the biggest chord struck was the sounds of the foxes, something we ourselves have had going on a lot! Do you believe or don’t you in ghosts and another world, that’s the theme for this play, and it is explored in quite some depth, sometimes with humour. It’s a difficult subject, and we all have our views, experiences or beliefs.
This play takes you on a journey, and you have to decide for yourself, what was real and what wasn’t. The dramatic music and use of the total darkness added a very real ambience to the atmosphere in the theatre. It wasn’t until it finished I felt that myself and those around me were holding their breathe. Danny Robins the writer of the play, certainly gets us all thinking. Go see it for yourself and you decide, is it a ghost story?
Rating: 4/5
2:22 A Ghost Story is showing Tuesday 3 October to Saturday 7 October 7.30pm with an extra matinee performances Wednesday Friday and Saturday 2.30pm.
Milton Keynes Theatre 500 Marlborough Gate Central Milton Keynes MK9 3NZ
Tickets cost from £13.00 subject to a £3.80 transaction fee
Tickets available from www.atgtickets.com or call the Box Office 0844 871 7627
https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/2-22-a-ghost-story/milton-keynes-theatre/