Review: 2:22 A Ghost Story Tour at The Regent Theatre*

[Ad-gifted] Following seven West End seasons, 2:22 A Ghost Story Tour opened at The Regent Theatre in Stoke-on-Trent last night as part of an extensive UK-wide tour. Danielle Booker reviews.

First-time parents Jenny and Sam invite old friend Lauren and her new partner Ben over for dinner in their new home. Jenny believes her home is haunted, but her husband Sam isn’t having any of it. At 2.22 every night, she can hear footsteps and crying in her daughter’s room and believes it must be a ghost, but her cynical husband strongly disagrees. Belief and scepticism clash, but something feels strange and frightening, and that something is getting closer, so they’re going to stay up…until 2:22.

Strictly Come Dancing’s Kevin Clifton makes his theatre debut as Sam, alongside real-life partner, Stacey Dooley, reprising her role as Jenny from the West End.  They’re joined by Grant Kilburn as Ben and Shvorne Marks as Lauren.

Since its 2021 debut, 2:22: A Ghost Story, written by Danny Robins, has become a phenomenon in British theatre. Brimming with mystery and spine chilling tension, it also has plenty of humour and clashes of opinion. Expect to be on the edge of your seat as the clock counts down.

What I thought of A Ghost Story Tour ?

I have wanted to see 2:22: A Ghost Story since hearing the hype about the play during its time at the West End, so I was thrilled to hear that it was heading to The Regent Theatre.

I have a very much love/hate relationship with ghost stories. I am equally captivated and terrified by how they explore themes such as death, the unknown, and the boundaries between the living and the dead.

The set design, by Anna Fleischle, and also the sound, lighting and illusions are fundamental to the apprehension that builds throughout the play. Especially the large red LED clock that counts down the approach to 2:22.

The writing is first-rate. Danny Robins has created a remarkable ghost story for a modern day audience. The relationship dynamics at play on the stage are very relatable. Jenny and Sam are new to parenthood, attempting to build a home together and raise a daughter, often with clashing opinions on how to do it.

This is the first time in the history of the play that a real life couple has taken on the roles of Jenny and Sam in the production, which I definitely believe adds to the allure for the audience goer. Stacey Dooley is wonderful as Jenny, excellently portraying the numerous emotions and rawness of being mum to a tiny, vulnerable human.

Kevin Clifton gives a high-energy, and sometimes quite theatrical, performance as the sceptical husband. Sam deals in science and proven facts and will not be swayed by Jenny’s certainty that something supernatural is occurring in their new home.

Having another couple in the mix adds much to the humour, but also tensions, of the play. Shvorne Marks is brilliant as Lauren, Sam’s friend who he has known since their university days. On the fence with her opinions on ghosts and the afterlife, she swaps her allegiance between Sam and Jenny throughout the night.

I loved the Ben character, played by the wonderful Grant Kilburn. Very much a believer in the supernatural, he is an instant ally for Jenny. Sam is very protective of his old friend and does not think that Ben is good enough for her. The tensions between the two men is played out with humour.

It lives up to the hype as a must-see ghost story! And I encourage everyone to try and see 2:22 A Ghost Story during its run. Expect scares that make you jump, and an ending that leaves you replaying the night over and over again.

Cast

Sam – Kevin Clifton
Jenny – Stacey Dooley
Ben – Grant Kilburn
Lauren – Shvorne Marks

Creatives

Written by Danny Robins
Directed by Matthew Dunster & Gabriel Vega Weissman
Set Designer Anna Fleischle
Costume Designer Cindy Lin
Lighting Designer Lucy Carter
Sound Designer Ian Dickinson for Autograph
Casting Director Matilda James
Co-Casting Director Annelie Powell CDG
Illusions Chris Fisher
Fight Directors Rachel Bown-Williams & Ruth Cooper -Brown of RC-ANNIE
Vocal Coach Hazel Holder
Production Manager Matt Ledbury 
Props by Propworks London LTD
Associate Director Jess Daniels 
Producer Tristan Baker 
Producer Charlie Parsons
Producer Runaway Entertainment
Producer Isobel David 
Producer Kater Gordon 
Associate Producer Andrew “Boz” Bosworth 
Associate Producer Roast Productions

How much are the tickets?

Tickets are priced from £15 to £86. For Groups (10 or more), call their dedicated Groups team on 020 7206 1174 or email groupsales@atgtickets.com. A transaction charge applies to online/phone bookings. Warning – Gun shots.

How do I book tickets to watch 2:22 A Ghost Story?

Tickets are now on sale online by visiting ATG’s website here. Age guidance: Recommended for ages 12+ Under 16s must be sat next to an accompanying adult. Contains a fair amount of strobe lighting effects throughout the show.

How long is the show for and what are the timings?

The show will be running until Saturday, 4 October 2025. The show runs for 2 hours including interval at 7.30pm everyday with matinee shows at 2.30pm on Wednesday and Saturday.

About Regent Theatre

The Regent Theatre is a theatre in Stoke-on-Trent, England. Constructed in 1929 as a cinema, it is one of several theatres in the city centre and one of two owned by the Ambassador Theatre Group. The building was converted for full-time use as a theatre in 1999, and since then has hosted a number of shows and musicals. The theatre is also the northern base for the Glyndebourne Touring Opera.

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