Who would have thought that 2:22 – A Ghost Story would be the show to bring back God-tier chaotic casting to the West End? Now announcing its fourth cast, it is the production that can’t be kept down and that is in no small part down to due to combining solid theatrical experience (in the shapes of faves-round-here) with unexpected debuts in each of its companies. So Hadley Fraser appeared alongside Lily Allen, Elliot Cowan with Rosa Diaz herself Stephanie Beatriz, Sam Swainsbury and Mandip Gill.
The next incarnation goes even further left-field – Felix Scott slots into the eye candy territory and Love Island presenter and West End debutant Laura Whitmore into the ‘really?!’ category. Tamsin Carroll and Matt Willis complete the cast and they’ll be taking over from 6th September 2022 through 8th January 2023. Part of its success is down to the fact that it does repay, indeed demand, multiple visits (or at least one). And it converted me from a sceptic first time round to something approaching a fan on trip number two.
Tamsin Carroll will play the role of Lauren. Tamsin said: “As a self confessed scaredy-cat, I’m so glad to have Matt, Felix and Laura to band together with on this supernatural adventure.”
Felix Scott will play the role of Sam. Felix said: “I am thrilled to be joining the cast of 2:22 A Ghost Story. It is incredibly exciting to be part of this brilliant production.”
Making her West End debut Laura Whitmore will play Jenny. Laura said: “I’m so excited to be making my West End debut playing Jenny in the next production of 2:22. Theatre has always been my first love and I can’t wait to get back on stage. I am a huge fan of the previous productions and delighted to be getting stuck in with rehearsals and working alongside such a hugely talented cast and team.”
Matt Willis will play Ben. Matt said: “I am beyond excited to be a part of this incredible show. I saw the production last year and absolutely loved it. I can’t wait for people to come and watch!”
Matthew Dunster said: “This is our 4th West End cast. We have already done over 100 performances at the Criterion and over a year in the West End in total. These are the shows you dream of being involved in. To reach, entertain and frighten as many people as we have feels very special. The show constantly evolves; each brilliant cast teaches us new things about Danny’s play and surprises our audiences, many of whom come again and again to experience the new life of the play. I’m so excited to be working with Isabel Marr, my Co-Director to realise this fourth version of the show that finally gives us the opportunity to scare the s**t out of people on Halloween.”
The production began its life last summer at the Noel Coward Theatre starring Lily Allen, Julia Chan, Hadley Fraser and Jake Wood. It then transferred to the Gielgud Theatre for 10 weeks from 4 December 2021. The production there, starring Stephanie Beatriz, James Buckley, Elliot Cowan and Giovanna Fletcher, completed its run on 12 February 2022. The current cast at the Criterion Theatre features Tom Felton as Sam, Mandip Gill as Jenny, Beatriz Romilly as Lauren and Sam Swainsbury as Ben. The US premiere of 2:22 A Ghost Story will be at the Ahmanson Theatre, Los Angeles where it will run from 29 October to 4 December 2022.
2.22 – A Ghost Story is written by award-winning writer Danny Robins, creator of the hit BBC podcast The Battersea Poltergeist and it is directed by Matthew Dunster. Intriguing, funny and scary, it takes audiences into one adrenaline-fueled night where secrets will emerge and ghosts may appear….What do you believe? And do you dare to discover the truth?
“There’s something in our house. I hear it every night, at the same time.”
Jenny believes her new home is haunted, but her husband Sam isn’t having any of it. They argue with their first dinner guests, old friend Lauren and her new partner Ben. Can the dead really walk again? Belief and scepticism clash, but something feels strange and frightening, and that something is getting closer, so they are going to stay up… until 2.22am… and then they will know.
