Little we knew what we have been in for as we stepped into the Noël Coward Theatre in West End’s Theatreland final night time. After coming into the auditorium, the very first thing you’ll encounter is a superbly designed set that’s conceived to painting a kitchen-dining area to the best element. This is the place the entire of 2:22 A Ghost Story takes place – and it’s so efficient that no set adjustments are essential. The different factor you’ll discover is a giant pink digital clock on one of many partitions, and because the play begins, it’ll take you on a journey to the time that’s turn into the title of the present.
Jenny (Lily Allen) is a brand new mum who has lately moved to the home her husband Sam (Hadley Fraser) and her have simply purchased. As they stick with it with the renovations, she turns into satisfied that the property is haunted as she hears footsteps and weeping in her child daughter’s room for a number of nights at precisely the identical time: 2:22 am.
The pair throw a cocktail party inviting Sam’s college good friend Lauren (Julia Chan) and the brand new man she’s settled for, Ben (Jake Wood). The 4 of them get enthralled in numerous debates about perception and rationalism, religion and creativeness, and there’s a degree the place Jenny asks them to attend till 2:22 am to allow them to be witnesses of the ghost that she claims is haunting the household.
This is Lily Allen’s debut within the West End and after seeing her efficiency we will guarantee you you wouldn’t consider it. She turns into this magnetic presence on stage taking the function of the frantic and afraid Jen who lives in fixed paranoia and delivers a efficiency that’s each robust and warranted. She runs across the stage endeavor the entire chores that director Matthew Dunster offers her to painting the picture of a lady that must be repeatedly energetic to keep away from her daunting ideas – whether or not that’s tidying the room, serving dinner, clearing stuff away and checking on her child daughter.
Her fixed motion contrasts along with her moments of stillness. That’s when the concern finest finds its approach in. Hadley Fraser turns into the other to Allen in all debates, portraying a know-it-all astronomer that’s positive there are rational explanations to all superstitions and beliefs. His appearing is so practical that it’s simple to overlook he’s appearing.
Danny Robins’ script has an awesome mixture of pressure and humour. The viewers laughed simply as a lot as they jumped, which is a superb recipe for an pleasing ghost story. There are real chilling moments, build-up of pressure all through and intelligent humour moments the place you get to calm down a bit… however not for too lengthy as you see the daring pink clock rising nearer and nearer to 2:22 am.
Get your tickets for 2:22 A Ghost Story right here.