★★★★★ 2:22 A Ghost Story – A Spine-Tingling Triumph at Sutton Arts Theatre

Theatre Review | Sutton Arts Theatre | 21 October 2026

Written by Danny Robins | Directed by Louise Holmes

There are evenings at the theatre when a production completely draws you into its world, holding your attention from the opening moments until the final curtain. Sutton Arts Theatre’s production of 2:22 A Ghost Story was one of those evenings — a wonderfully atmospheric, beautifully performed and genuinely spine-tingling theatrical experience.

And, despite knowing the story beforehand, I very nearly dropped my camera at precisely 2:22!

That alone should tell you something about just how effective this production was.

Written by Danny Robins, 2:22 A Ghost Story takes us into the home of Jenny and Sam, a couple renovating their house while adjusting to life with a young child.

Jenny is convinced that something unexplained is happening in their home, with strange disturbances occurring at exactly 2:22 each morning. Her husband Sam, however, is determined to find a rational explanation.

When their friends Lauren and Ben join them for an evening, what begins as an ordinary social gathering gradually develops into an increasingly unsettling exploration of belief, scepticism, relationships and the possibility that not everything can be explained.

At the heart of this production are four excellent performances, each contributing enormously to the growing sense of unease.

What impressed most was the strength of the ensemble. There was no sense of four individuals simply delivering dialogue. Instead, we were watching four people interacting naturally, with all the subtle changes in emotion, behaviour and relationships that accompany a real domestic gathering.

At times, it genuinely felt as though we were looking through the window of someone’s home, observing an evening that was gradually taking an unexpected and disturbing turn.

That level of authenticity is a tremendous achievement.

Jenny played by Sammi Kelly-Griggs delivers a compelling and emotionally charged performance as Jenny, an exhausted new mother whose life is increasingly dominated by fear and uncertainty.

Every night, at precisely 2:22 AM, Jenny hears the unsettling sound of a baby crying and unexplained footsteps coming from her infant daughter’s room. Having experienced these disturbances firsthand, she is utterly convinced that something supernatural is taking place.

Sammi captures Jenny’s growing anxiety beautifully, portraying a woman who is not only deeply shaken by events she cannot explain but also increasingly frustrated by her husband’s refusal to take her fears seriously.

What makes Sammi’s performance so convincing is that her fear never feels exaggerated or theatrical. Instead, we see a mother desperately trying to protect her child while questioning what is happening around her.

It is a sensitive, intelligent and thoroughly engaging portrayal that provides much of the emotional heart of the production.

Sam, played by Kieran jenkins was particularly impressive as the fiercely rational, opinionated husband who seems utterly convinced that his interpretation of events must be the correct one.

As the evening progressed, his increasingly combative manner became genuinely frustrating. Indeed, such was the conviction of the performance that I found myself actively disliking Sam by the closing stages.

And that is a tremendous compliment to the actor.

He created a thoroughly believable, complex and occasionally exasperating character, whose insistence on rational explanations provided a powerful counterpoint to the growing uncertainty surrounding him.

Ben played by Dexter Whitehead delivers a wonderfully convincing performance as Ben, Lauren’s new boyfriend, a streetwise, slightly rough-around-the-edges character whose superstitious beliefs place him firmly alongside Jenny in the debate about the supernatural.

Dexter brings an engaging authenticity to the role, portraying a man who might lack Sam’s intellectual confidence but certainly doesn’t lack conviction or the courage to stand his ground.

Dexter portrays this mounting frustration superbly. His reactions feel entirely natural, revealing a man increasingly irritated by Sam’s condescending manner but unwilling to be intimidated into silence.

It’s a thoroughly believable and engaging performance that adds another important dimension to the production’s exploration of belief, scepticism and human relationships.

Beck Dudley delivers an excellent, beautifully observed performance as Lauren, Sam’s close university friend, a psychologist and psychotherapist whose initially cool, composed and analytical personality provides another fascinating dimension to the unfolding drama.

Beck portrays this combination of intellectual confidence and unresolved emotion with considerable relish, allowing subtle glimpses of Lauren’s personal feelings to emerge through her conversations and interactions.

And then, of course, there are the drinks!

Beck handles Lauren’s increasing intoxication particularly well, skilfully capturing the subtle changes in speech, behaviour and inhibition as the alcohol takes effect. What could easily have become an exaggerated comic portrayal instead feels wonderfully natural and believable.

It’s an impressive transformation, demonstrating both Beck’s versatility and her understanding of the character.

Her performance adds humoured an emotional complexity compelling evening.

Director Louise Holmes deserves enormous credit for the way the production develops.

The pacing was superb throughout, with tension building steadily and convincingly rather than relying on a succession of sudden shocks.

Conversations flowed naturally, allowing the characters’ personalities, emotions and relationships to emerge through the dialogue. Moments of ordinary domestic interaction provided an effective contrast to the increasingly unsettling atmosphere.

The audience became invested in the characters and their differing perspectives, making the unfolding events all the more compelling.

This was carefully controlled storytelling, with the tension increasing almost imperceptibly until the atmosphere became positively electric.

The staging was another of the production’s considerable strengths.

The contemporary living space was beautifully realised, providing a thoroughly believable setting for the unfolding drama.

Particularly impressive was the attention to detail beyond the main room. Fully operational doors leading into the backyard and shed, together with glimpses of the bathroom, created the impression of a complete, functioning home rather than simply a theatrical set.

The lighting was excellent, shifting effectively to reflect the changing atmosphere and heightening the tension whenever required.

Well-executed pyrotechnic effects added further impact, delivering dramatic moments that were both startling and entirely appropriate to the production.

And Then Came 2:22…

One of the greatest achievements of this production was its ability to maintain suspense even for someone already familiar with the story.

Knowing what was coming did absolutely nothing to diminish the experience.

As the evening progressed, the atmosphere became increasingly charged, the tension tightening until the audience was completely absorbed.

And when that crucial moment arrived, the effect was extraordinary.

I genuinely nearly dropped my camera!

It was a wonderfully executed theatrical moment, demonstrating just how successfully the cast, direction and technical elements had worked together.

Naturally, there will be no spoilers here. Some theatrical experiences deserve to retain their secrets.

Sutton Arts Theatre has delivered an outstanding production of 2:22 A Ghost Story, combining four excellent performances with assured direction, convincing staging and an atmosphere of sustained suspense