Writer: Danny Robins
Directors: Matthew Dunster & Gabriel Vega Weissman
Every morning, for the previous 4 days, at precisely 2:22, unusual sounds have been emanating from the newborn monitor within the newly bought residence of Jenny (Stacey Dooley) and Sam (Kevin Clifton). While most would assume that the noises are because of the neighbours or the decrepit state of the grand fixer-upper. Jenny is satisfied the home is haunted.
The motion takes place over the course of 1 evening, an evening when Sam has invited his previous college buddy Lauren (Shvorne Marks) and her new accomplice, Ben (Grant Kilburn) over for dinner. Sam’s solely motivation is to parade his spectacular new buy in font of the pair.
Over the course of the night the category tensions ramp up in addition to Jenny’s concern in regards to the buy of the home and the protection of her child. The ideas of believers and sceptics conflict. As Jenny lays naked her fears, supercilious Sam rationally dismisses or counter-argues her ideas away, however Lauren and Sam are open to a lower than rational clarification of occasions. The uneasiness builds as they look ahead to the clock to tick spherical to the fated hour.
With over thirty productions worldwide, author Danny Robins (Uncanny, The Battersea Poltergeist, The Witch Farm) can really lay declare to having a world hit on his arms. With real-life couple Dooley and Clifton solid within the central roles, and neither often known as actors. there’ll after all be some scrutiny on the ‘stunt’ casting. While there’s a tendency for the pair to step over traces of their eagerness to ship them, their performing is sure-footed sufficient, Dooley is sympathetic and convincing because the exhausted new mum who’s undermined at each flip by her know-it-all husband and he or she has a feisty spark in counterpart to his “I’ll think you’ll find” proclamations. Clifton manages to be totally dislikeable as show-off Sam and Grant Kilburn is interesting because the quiet, working-class builder Ben, who elicits probably the most sympathy from the viewers. Shvorne Marks’ Lauren is properly judged as Sam’s former flame.
Anything billed as a a ghost story will, after all, invite the query: is it scary? There are jump-scares littered all through, however these are extra right down to the stage craft concerned somewhat than the fabric. That mentioned, the writing is powerful, and whereas there’s no exhilarating terror, it delivers the thrills because it tick-tocks round to 2:22. The twist when it comes is a shocker. This is a extremely entertaining manufacturing that stands as much as repeated viewing, even when what’s to return.
Runs till 30 August 2025 then continues touring: Image: Helen Murray
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