MK Theatre Review – 2:22 A Ghost Story
Summary
Rating: ★★★★
Running Dates: 15th - 20th September 2025
Where to see it: Milton Keynes Theatre
Duration: 2 hours (incl. interval)
Review
“Ghosts fill in the gaps”
Well, I wasn’t sure if I wanted them to! I love theatre but in truth thriller isn’t my favourite genre. I either find the attempts to build tension pedantic or overuse of certain effects to be momentarily frightening with no direct link to the story line.
However, the stage immediately prepared me for a side to this genre I haven’t seen before.
Photography by Helen Murray
We were essentially waiting in the house with how immersive it felt to see an open plan worn living room with an extension, contrastingly modern. Sliding sleek garden doors reflecting the mix matched items of the house and another door leading to the stairs covered in old fashioned floral wallpaper and suffocated by plastic covers for all the paint work.
The hum of the audience melted with the riding sound effects on stage setting the immediate president that the sound designer, Ian Dicksonson, had his finger on the modern thriller pulse. Every moment throughout was married music really well for the feel and symbolism of the his choices.
The play begins with Jenny (Stacey Dooley) brushing a maroon, wooden doorframe with industrial white paint. It drew my attention further into the set, noticing how intricately detailed the set designer, Anna Fleischle, placed items not only to set the scene for the environment of a couple renovating an old house to start life with her newborn baby but the motif it carried throughout the play with the great argument of Science vs Religion. Another detail of the set was a red digital clock, numbers either running frantically whilst you watch holding your breath or slowly approaching 2:22 with a stone in your throat.
Photography by Helen Murray
Sam (Kevin Clifton) enters and the chemistry of the couple is realistic, relatable and relevant. I can’t help but become immediately invested in these characters, worrying at any moment if a scary monster or ghost would run onto stage and eat them.
As more characters were introduced and the ensemble of costumes came together there was something amiss initially, something didn’t seem to fit for a dinner party. Later, it unfolded to be a clue. Every detail in the lighting, characterisation, music and movement was a clue with a few misleading moments of foreshadowing, my mind was spinning and I felt truly thrilled when the realisation of the truth sunk in.
The plot twist audibly made me and the rest of the audience’s jaw drop. The entire concept was enthralling and I would love to see it again now knowing the truth…
The level of realism was fantastic until shorts moments where this wasn’t quite achieved by the actors. It was a little disappointing that the movements, gestures or tone of voice weren’t as realistic, feeling like words from a scripts instead of a gateway into a story. It did stick out like a sore thumb to me as the majority of the performance was so fluid and engaging.
Photography by Helen Murray
When they were able to show a mirror to society and depict a dinner party with old friends, I felt really connected to the depths of layers and surprised by themes I wasn’t expecting; traditional, modern love and safe parenting. It made me question the day to day paranoia of people, the never ending debate of the existence of ghosts, why sceptics are so… well, sceptic.
My favourite moment has to be one of the most conflicting with emotions it evoked. Ben’s (Grant Kilburn) character offered comedic relief for the tense tale and plot development which was executed really effectively. The blackout stage to begin the seance scene was exciting, felt like answers were about to be revealed and the clop of Ben’s shoes and the click of his lighter threading along the candles as a warm dim light flickers on the stage felt weirdly comforting. All the while knowing that terrible was about ensue, how correct are my theories? Am I about to jump out of my seat? The slow pace juxtaposing with the situation at this moment made me realise how well the pacing of the story was throughout.
I laughed, I jumped, I gushed, I gasped. I’m truly converted by the play and I’m a newfound lover of modern thriller theatre. If you dare to discover the secret I really recommend you go, horror seeker or not, it’s easily digestible as a play whilst interesting and enticing. It is a thrill worth the risk, so take a few friends with you.
Reviewed by Nova
These tickets were gifted in exchange for an honest review.