REVIEW: 2:22 - A Ghost Story at Sunderland Empire

2:22 - A Ghost Story

Sunderland Empire

Until Saturday 13 September 2025.

Things are going bump in the night in Sunderland this week. Returning to the role of Jenny, Stacey Dooley appears in Sunderland alongside her partner Kevin Clifton who plays Jenny’s husband, Sam, in the thought provoking drama written by award-winning writer Danny Robins.

This is the first time that I have seen 2:22, but it is one of those shows that keeps getting mentioned in despatches - I knew I had to check it out when I got the chance. But now that I have seen it I'm in a dilemma. How much do I reveal without spoiling it for you? Normally I'd say the first 20 minutes of a 2 hour (including interval) show is fair game to share with you. In this case I'm going to say - don't miss the start. Sit back, enjoy the Massive Attack soundtrack as the lights are ready to dim...

The bulk of the play is much more straightforward to discuss. Sam (Kevin Clifton) has just returned from a trip to Sark and he is jointly hosting, with his wife Jenny (Stacey Dooley) a meal for long time university friend Lauren (Shvorne Marks) and her new partner Ben (Grant Kilburn). Quickly it is established that Jenny is on maternity leave from teaching, Sam is a lecturer with a fascination about space and no time for religion, Lauren works in mental health and has recently had a new bathroom fitted by Ben - who pretty much stayed with her afterwards. The fourth character is the couple's baby that makes interruptions to the evening's entertainment with cries from wherever she is sleeping off set.   

Jenny is concerned about the noises she hears at precisely 2:22am and she persuades the group, including her highly sceptical husband to stay up to that time to prove that something's up with the newly bought house that they're currently renovating. Adding to the fun are the noises of the local foxes outside and a pair of clocks that count down to that time.

So the tension builds up as the time approaches and the guests consume the alcohol and discuss their ideas. There are plenty of light hearted moments which had the audience laughing too. The chemistry between the couples is apparent - as is the antagonism between them which weaves nicely in the story. It helps that the cast are believable.

To me the story felt like an reboot of a Charles Dickens style chiller. Many of the elements were there, updated with mobile phones and automatic sensors on outdoor lights. He was a classic storywriter who knew a thing or two about keeping the reader interested in his tales - and a similar feel evolves here with a few theatre tricks. Certainly the show has sold well for a Monday night given that it has been in the region before. Credit goes to the Monday crowd around me as they were absorbed: laughing at the funny parts, silently watching in the others. This is not a show to discuss during the action, but it'll give you plenty to dissect on the way home. 

It is nice to see a straight drama at the Wearside venue packing the crowds in. I do wonder in many in the audience will guess the ending?

Review: Stephen Oliver

Photos: Helen Murray

Tickets:

2:22 - A Ghost Story will bring chills to Sunderland Empire’s stage from Monday 8 – Saturday 13 September 2025. Tickets on sale online now at ATGTickets.com/ Sunderland *

* A £3.95 transaction fee may apply to online bookings.