Acclaimed play 2:22 A Ghost Story will have theatregoers in Milton Keynes on the edge of their seats this month.
Jenny believes her new house is haunted, but her husband Sam is infuriatingly opposed to the possibility. There can surely only be ‘natural’ explanations for the seemingly ‘supernatural’ sounds Jenny hears coming from her baby daughter’s bedroom at 2:22 each morning. They invite their friend Lauren and her new partner, Ben, round for dinner – and a debate. Can the dead really walk again?
Belief and scepticism clash as the couples discuss, and dissect the details of, every sound. There is no denying that something feels strange and frightening. There is only one way to find out the truth. They are going to stay up until 2:22…
This award-winning thriller became a must-see theatre event during its phenomenal London run. It premiered in 2021 (when theatreland was coming back to life after successive lockdowns) and ended up haunting five West End theatres in total, with record-breaking seasons and star casting at each.
The first iteration received Olivier Award nominations for best new play, best actress (Lily Allen) and best sound design. It won three WhatsOnStage awards: best new play, best performer in a female-identifying role in a play (Lily Allen) and best supporting performer in a male-identifying role in a play (Jake Wood). Established as a spooky sensation, it went international in 2022 with a run in Los Angeles, followed by an Australian production that premiered in Melbourne this summer.
2:22 A Ghost Story marks the playwriting debut of Danny Robbins, creator of hit BBC podcast The Battersea Poltergeist, and is directed by Matthew Dunster. The production has set design by Anna Fleischle, costume design by Cindy Lin, lighting design by Lucy Carter, sound design by Ian Dickinson and illusions by Chris Fisher.
Performances at Milton Keynes Theatre will star Joe Absolom (A Confession, Doc Martin) as Ben, Charlene Boyd (Mayflies, River City) as Lauren, Nathaniel Curtis (It’s A Sin, The Witcher) as Sam and Louisa Lytton (EastEnders, The Bill, Strictly Come Dancing) as Jenny.
Ticketholders are promised a funny, intriguing, adrenaline-filled experience in which secrets emerge and ghosts may or may not appear. What do you believe? And do you dare to discover the truth?
Running time: Approximately 2 hours, including an interval.
Age guidance: 12+
*Production photography by Johan Persson.
2:22 A Ghost Story is at Milton Keynes Theatre from Tuesday 3 to Saturday 7 October 2023. The UK tour continues until 25 May 2024.
This preview is also featured on Total MK.
Update 4 October 2023: Read my review of 2:22 A Ghost Story at Milton Keynes Theatre.
Georgina Butler is an editor, a dance writer and a ballet teacher.
