2:22 at Bradford Alhambra: Review
29 May, 2024 | by Alex Moran
2:22 at Bradford Alhambra
Image(s): Johan Persson
Belief and scepticism clash in this multi-award-winning, super slick, supernatural thriller…
With five critically-acclaimed seasons in the West End and a sixth currently running, there’s a great deal of hype around 2:22. Now, on it’s second successive UK tour, it brought fear and mounting dread to the Bradford Alhambra.
A brain-child of writer Danny Robins (Uncanny, The Battersea Poltergeist), 2:22 is a ghost story set in the open plan living space of a suburban London home.
Robins has been fascinated by ghosts since childhood. Fuelled by horror movies, The Woman In Black on stage and horrifying works of literature, he’s created a must-see production that really sets the pulse racing and delivers on all levels with its killer of a twist.
The story. Jenny (Fiona Wade), sets out to prove that her new home is haunted, but husband Sam (George Rainsford) is an arch-sceptic on a mission to debunk the paranormal…
In this chamber piece, the couple are joined by Sam’s old friend Lauren (Vera Chok) and new partner Ben (Jay McGuiness) for a dinner party turned ghost quiz turned vigil, with Sam alone in his belief that the so called ‘spirit’ haunting his wife simply cannot, and does not exist.
The production boasts a relentless energy from this accomplished ensemble, with intrigue and mystery played out at a cracking pace. Then… in the quieter moments, as the digital clock slowly counts down to the impending time of 2:22, the performance really comes into its own.
A special mention must be given to the multitalented production team of Anna Fleischle (set), Lucy Carter (lighting) and Ian Dickinson (sound) who, along with the entire production team and super cast, keep our eyes peeled and spine shivering from beginning to end.
2:22 is creepy, funny and certainly lives up to the hype, exposing us to an exhilaration of terror that simply must not be missed.
Will ghosts appear? Do they exist? There’s only one way to find out.
