I do not do horror movies, dabble with ghostly things or paranormal, as, quite frankly, it terrifies me. So it was with an equal measure of trepidation, curiosity and fear that I accepted a press invitation to attend the press night and review 2:22 A Ghost Story at the Opera House, Manchester. But I will preface this review by saying I am glad I took myself out of my comfort zone; this play is a little mindblowing.
What You Will Find Here
What Is 2:22 A Ghost Story About
It’s not your typical “things go bump in the night” ghost tale; it’s more of a tense, dialogue-driven mystery where the audience is left questioning what’s real. The story takes place in a single evening, when Jenny (Stacey Dooley) and her partner Sam (Kevin Clifton) invite friends Lauren (Shvorne Marks) and Ben (Grant Kilburn) over for dinner in their new home, a renovation project.
Jenny is convinced the place is haunted because she hears strange noises at 2:22 a.m. every night. Sam, a sceptic, tries to rationalise everything, while their friends take sides.
The play unfolds in real time, blending psychological tension, relationship drama, and traditional ghost-story chills, with suspense building toward 2:22 a.m.
My Review, 2:22 A Ghost Story
Without spoilers, this is two plays in one. The play you watch in real time. And the events you evaluate afterwards are pretty mindblowing. The story aside 2:22 delves into relationships and class perceptions, which in itself really had me thinking. Being a Londoner, and speaking in a cockney accent, people draw conclusions, and this was displayed beautifully.
The narrative and dynamics between the characters were at times uncomfortable but intriguing. Yet all the time you are missing vital clues that all become apparent at the end. It had me wondering how on earth I missed it, yet also accepting there are some things that, despite having the evidence in front of you, you just don’t see it. A very clever and intriguing production, that has just as much going on after the curtain falls as during the play.
It is not a horror but a thriller; however, be prepared to jump out of your skin many times. I was more jumpy than scared, but this all added to the ambience. The set was simple but clever, and added to the atmosphere. Its a play I would thoroughly recomend, its a story that gets under your skin a little.
Where Can You See 2:22
You can see 2:22 A Ghost Story at The Opera House, Manchester till Sat 16 Aug 2025, with tickets from £15 plus booking fee. And then at…..
- Bristol Hippodrome, Mon 18 Aug – Sat 23 Aug 2025
- King’s Theatre, Glasgow, Mon 25 Aug – Sat 30 Aug 2025
- Sunderland Empire, Mon 8 Sep – Sat 13 Sep 2025
- Milton Keynes Theatre, Mon 15 Sep – Sat 20 Sep 2025
- Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Mon 29 Sep – Sat 4 Oct 2025
- Theatre Royal Brighton, Mon 6 Oct – Sat 11 Oct 2025
- The Alexandra, Birmingham, Mon 13 Oct – Sat 18 Oct 2025
- Richmond Theatre, Mon 2 Feb – Sat 7 Feb 2026
- New Theatre Oxford, Mon 23 Feb – Sat 28 Feb 2026
- New Victoria Theatre, Woking, Mon 16 Mar – Sat 21 Mar 2026
- Grand Opera House York, Mon 30 Mar – Sat 4 Apr 2026
- Liverpool Empire, Mon 6 Apr – Sat 11 Apr 2026
- Edinburgh Playhouse, Mon 25 May – Sat 30 May 2026
- Aylesbury Waterside Theatre, Mon 8 Jun – Sat 13 Jun 2026
Disclaimer: I was gifted the tickets for review purposes. However, all opinions are my own. Check out where to park near the Opera House Manchester.
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