I spent two terrifying hours at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre watching the 'must-see' 2:22 A Ghost Story. James Bye, Natalie Casey, Grant Kilburn, and Shvorne Marks star in Danny Robins' supernatural thriller.
A Fearful Return to Spooky Theatre
I have been attending Wolverhampton Grand Theatre since childhood, but one performance remains etched in my memory. As a teenager, I was offered a spare ticket to see The Woman in Black, which I accepted despite knowing nothing about it. What followed was the most terrifying theatre experience I have ever had. Looking back, I recognise it was an outstanding production, with such a simple set and effects capable of triggering strong reactions. However, I have avoided spooky shows since then, opting for less fear-inducing musicals and pantomimes.
That all changed on Monday night as I settled in for 2:22 A Ghost Story. My interest was piqued because actors like Lily Allen, Cheryl, Laura Whitmore, and Giovanna Fletcher have played the lead role over the years. I avoided Googling the plot to prevent spoilers, but I had a loose idea from a friend who had seen it. The official synopsis explains that Jenny believes the home she recently bought with husband Sam is haunted, but he is sceptical. They host a dinner party with old friend Lauren and her new partner Ben, leading to questions about whether the dead can walk again. Belief and scepticism clash, and they decide that staying awake until 2:22am is the only way to know for sure.
The Experience
I felt a surge of trepidation as the show started, fully expecting to be terrified throughout—and I was. I had flashbacks to The Woman in Black as a piercing scream echoed through the theatre, and my eyes scoured every inch of the stage in a feeble attempt to anticipate the next scare. While I did not embarrass myself by screaming, I jumped out of my skin multiple times. There were involuntary arm movements towards my face and the occasional muttered expletive.
I will not spoil the show by revealing its twists and turns, but I can say it is a very clever production that also incorporates comedy for much-needed light relief. As I tried to second-guess the ending, I found myself siding with sceptics one minute and firmly believing the believers the next. At times I eyed each character with suspicion, but none of my theories proved correct.
Performances
Shvorne Marks as Jenny was likeable and believable as the shattered new mother spooked by her new surroundings, delivering a powerful performance. Natalie Casey as Lauren, whom I loved in Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps, slowly exposed her booze-guzzling character's many layers with ease. Her American accent felt unnecessary and slightly distracting, but once I got past that, I appreciated her brilliantly eccentric performance.
Ben, Lauren's boyfriend, was a character I took a while to warm up to, but that is not a criticism of Grant Kilburn. For me, he delivered one of the show's most captivating moments, leaving me on the edge of my seat. However, former EastEnders star James Bye was the real surprise of the night. I stopped watching the soap before he joined, so I had no idea how talented he is. His performance seemed effortless, and Sam was a character I loved and loathed in equal measure.
Final Thoughts
It is a real talent to create such suspense and tension live on stage. The cast and the team behind them should be proud of what they have achieved. The raucous applause as the stars took their final bow was more than deserved. I would say this show is a must-see for those who love a good thriller; it keeps you guessing right until the very end. I was still thinking about it this morning, and I would love to watch it again, knowing what I know now.
While I do not think anything could top the sheer terror I felt as a teen watching The Woman in Black, I think I enjoyed this production more. You can catch 2:22 A Ghost Story at The Grand until Saturday, May 23.
