The Story of 2:22 A Ghost Story
2:22 A Ghost Story centers on Jenny and Sam, a couple who have recently moved into a large house in Greater London that they're renovating. But something strange is happening in their new home—something that occurs at exactly 2:22 AM every single night.
The Setup
"There's something in our house. I hear it every night, at the same time." For several nights, at precisely 2:22 AM, Jenny has heard the sound of someone moving around the house and a man's voice crying, often via the baby monitor in her daughter's bedroom. She's become convinced the house is haunted.
The Skeptic
Sam, being a staunch skeptic and having been away on a work trip, insists there are more logical explanations for the noises. He dismisses Jenny's concerns, leading to tension between the couple as she desperately wants someone to believe her experience.
The Dinner Party
The couple hosts a dinner party for Lauren, an old university friend of Sam's, and Ben, her new boyfriend who happens to believe in the supernatural. What begins as a social evening quickly becomes a battleground of belief vs. skepticism, science vs. faith, as the four debate the existence of ghosts.
The Challenge
Jenny persuades the others to stay up until 2:22 AM to see what happens for themselves. Can the dead really walk again? Belief and skepticism clash, but something feels strange and frightening, and that something is getting closer. As the clock ticks toward 2:22, tensions rise, secrets emerge, and the line between the rational and the supernatural begins to blur.
Key Themes
- Belief vs. Skepticism - The eternal debate between faith in the supernatural and scientific rationalism
- Class and Gentrification - Explores working-class vs. middle-class dynamics and the renovation of old homes, questioning whether we're erasing the memories of previous occupants
- Trust and Relationships - What happens when your partner doesn't believe your lived experience
- Fear and the Unknown - Examining what we're really afraid of—ghosts or the living people who can hurt us
- Memory and the Past - Those left behind, both literally and metaphorically
- Science vs. Instinct - The battle between our rational "monkey brain" and our instinctive "lizard brain"
Contemporary Relevance: Beyond its supernatural thrills, the play cleverly addresses modern issues of gentrification, class conflict, and how we treat society's most vulnerable. The question "Do we treat poor people and the homeless like ghosts?" adds surprising depth to this spine-chilling thriller.
Practical Information
Show Times
- Monday - Saturday: 7:30pm
- Wednesday & Saturday: 2:30pm matinees
- Dates: 2 - 7 February 2026
Getting There
- Train: Richmond Station (South Western Railway, London Overground, District Line) - 5 mins walk
- Underground: Richmond (District Line) - 5 mins walk
- Buses: Multiple routes stop near The Green
- Parking: Nearby parking facilities available
Theatre Information
- One of the oldest surviving theatres designed by iconic architect Frank Matcham
- Grade II-listed venue opened in 1899
- Beautiful Victorian theatre in the heart of Richmond
- Popular filming location (Finding Neverland, Killing Eve, Ted Lasso)
- Accessible seating available
- Bar and facilities throughout the venue
Age Guidance & Warnings
Recommended for ages 12+. Under 16s must be seated next to an accompanying adult.
Content Warnings: The performance contains strobe lighting, flashing lights, loud sound effects, smoke effects, and periods of darkness in the auditorium. The play features jump scares and supernatural themes.
Running Time
2 hours including one interval. The show builds tension masterfully with a digital clock counting down to the fateful hour of 2:22 AM.
