Caption: James Bye (Sam) and Shvorne Marks (Jenny). Photo: Helen Murray
By Tim Saunders
Ghosts. What do you think about them?
2:22 A Ghost Story at Kings Theatre Portsmouth (until March 7) explores the idea in a contemporary setting with props such as smartphones and Alexa. We’re introduced to four friends discussing the paranormal over drinks in the kitchen. It’s not long before the tension builds and every now and again a ghostly apparition appears. Naturally, a séance has to be held.
“I like the set,” says Harriett (15). “It looks like an old house and the door is probably art nouveau.”
She also enjoys Ben shouting about how old properties have the guts ripped out of them by people like Sam, who adds that perhaps they shouldn’t have built the extension on a graveyard.
Towards the end there’s a really great tune but I can’t remember its name for the life of me.
Prior to the start the audience is subjected to excruciatingly loud noise, which makes Heidi (13) jump out of her seat. The set is framed by a flashing red light. This is a recurring theme throughout in the same way that there might be an ad break on the TV.
Following seven West End seasons, a record-breaking UK and Ireland tour and 30 productions across the globe this 12+ drama is littered with unnecessarily offensive language, which disappoints my teenage daughters and I. Of course this is but a sad reflection of today’s world. Jenny begins to wonder whether the ghost is targeting her. Perhaps it is because it can’t stand her swearing!
