Review: 2:22 A Ghost Story at The Lowry is a ‘hauntingly compelling experience’

It was a dark and stormy night in Salford when 2:22 – A Ghost Story opened its doors at The Lowry – okay, it wasn’t stormy, it’s June, so it was just raining.

When you think about local ghost stories, you probably think of all the old buildings in Manchester or the famous Flecky Bennett telling tales of headless figures and see-through spirits.

You don’t think of the very modern Lowry Theatre, which is younger than most of last night’s audience, where 2:22 – A Ghost Story is haunting audiences until the 15th of June.

Whether you’re a big believer in the paranormal or a complete sceptic, this ghost story will stick with you.

Review: 2:22 A Ghost Story at The Lowry

The writer Danny Robins is well known for his paranormal podcasts where he explores the chilling tales of real-life ghost sightings.

Turning his hand to writing for TV and theatre, this is where his true storytelling talents lie. 2:22 – A Ghost Story is already a huge hit on the West End and has won several awards and will no doubt win over the most sceptical of showgoers.

The show centres around two couples having a long-awaited catchup, after one pair recently moved and had a baby.

“A huge West End Hit comes North”

The new parents Jenny and Sam invite Sam’s old uni friend, Lauren and her new boyfriend Ben, over to share a few glasses, or bottles, of wine. Jenny, played by Fiona Wade, is a doting mother and tries to be the perfect host while resembling a duck in water.

While calm on the surface, her erratic cleaning and tense conversations with Sam, there’s more to her story.

After opening up about her anxious behaviour, she tells the group that their lovely, newly renovated house, is haunted.

Compelling storytelling

All four actors have been seen on stage and screen before, so it’s no shock that their storytelling is incredibly compelling.

The whole show feels like a sleepover with your friends, where you’d stay up a little later than you should, hold torches under your face and tell each other the scariest tales you could imagine.

Fiona Wade’s top portrayal of Jenny

While you listen to Jenny’s haunting account of what’s been going on in the house, you’re gripped. Even her husband Sam, a complete sceptic, begins to wonder.

Their guests, played by Vera Chok and Jay McGuiness, are concerned.

Ben, a cheeky chappy cockney, tries to lighten the mood and help the pair get to the bottom of the creepy happenings in the house.

Creepy happenings

The staging for this show is so simple yet incredibly effective. The whole story unfolds in one room, Jenny and Sam’s kitchen renovation.

A true mix of styles, from the modern oversized glass windows and doors, to the old dilapidated light fixtures left over from the elderly couple who lived there before.

The four friends move around the dimly lit space, waiting until 2:22 to see if Jenny is just a paranoid mother, or a witness to something supernatural.

With a good few jump scares expertly thrown in just as you’re getting settled into the story, 2:22 – A Ghost Story is the perfect show to sink your teeth into.

Tickets for 2:22 A Ghost Story at The Lowry

On at the Lowry until the 15th of June, tickets are selling fast so don’t be spooked, book today.

You can get tickets by clicking here