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<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nIt\u2019s really hard to write about a play like this, when they directly ask you to keep its secrets, so that future audiences can be as blown away as I was. I\u2019m naturally sceptical of ghost stories on stage, because they can either soar or fall flat. But this one masterfully balances that tension, keeping you on the edge with fear and suspense, while also weaving in brilliant comic moments. These lighter touches lift the mood, letting you relax, only to be caught completely off guard when a sudden jump scare crashes back in. And I think, for me, that was part of its power, never letting you get too comfortable before pulling you right back in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
2:22 \u2013 A Ghost Story resonated with me on a deeper level, largely because Jenny\u2019s journey as a new mum feels so raw and recognisable. Her exhaustion, her sharpened instincts, and her fierce need to protect her daughter at all costs make her instantly relatable. You understand her tiredness in your bones, and you feel the panic of not being believed just as sharply as she does.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Shorne Marks brings Jenny to life beautifully, moving through fear, doubt, determination, and vulnerability with such honesty that you\u2019re right there with her, questioning whether she\u2019s losing her grip or uncovering something truly terrifying. Sam, played by EastEnders <\/em>star James Bye, brings a completely different but equally compelling energy to the story. He\u2019s the level\u2011headed, need\u2011to\u2011be\u2011right husband who treats every supernatural suggestion as utter nonsense. James captures that pompous, know\u2011it\u2011all streak so perfectly that it\u2019s almost effortless to feel frustrated with him \u2014 yet he never lets Sam become a caricature. There\u2019s a softness underneath, a genuine love for his family that peeks through even when he\u2019s being infuriating. That tension between stubborn logic and quiet devotion feels incredibly real, echoing the way many marriages move between conflict and connection. It makes the strain between Sam and Jenny not just believable, but painfully relatable.<\/p>\n\n\n In the role of their old uni friend is Lauren, played with remarkable nuance by Natalie Casey, who has no trouble shifting through every emotion with absolute clarity. Lauren is fascinating to watch \u2014 introduced as a confident mental\u2011health nurse, someone who should have her head firmly together in order to support others. But as the night wears on and the wine level drops, her vulnerability begins to seep through. Hidden feelings, long\u2011buried secrets, and a quiet ache she\u2019s been carrying all surface in ways that feel painfully human. Natalie handles this unravelling beautifully, revealing layers of strength, insecurity, longing, and truth that make Lauren one of the most compelling characters on stage. Ben, played by Grant Kilburn, enters the group as the newcomer \u2014 the boyfriend trying to make a good impression while still standing his ground. He brings a fresh, sometimes conflicting energy to the trio\u2019s long\u2011established dynamic. What\u2019s striking is how openly he shares parts of himself with people he\u2019s only just met, revealing a surprising emotional honesty beneath his attempts to appear confident and capable. His instinctive support for Jenny, and his willingness to believe her when others won\u2019t, adds a gentle kindness to his character. In ways you want to learn more about him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Without a doubt, I did not<\/strong> see the ending coming, and of course I can\u2019t tell you what happens, no spoilers here \u2014 but it\u2019s such a clever, unexpected twist on a ghost story that it genuinely stays with you. The suspense isn\u2019t loud or in your face; instead, it creeps in quietly, building tension in a way that feels far more unsettling. It\u2019s the kind of show you end up talking about all the way home. Is it something you\u2019d watch over and over? Probably not. But is it a show you absolutely have to see at least once? Definitely. I was lucky enough to catch a cast who were on absolute top form, and that made all the difference, in the wrong hands, I don\u2019t think the play would land with the same impact.<\/p>\n\n\n I highly recommend catching this production if it comes to a theatre near you. It\u2019s a brilliant night out for both guys and girls\u2026 maybe just leave the kids at home for this one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Playing at the Churchill Theatre until Saturday 20 June, for all ticket information go here<\/a>. It then continues on its Uk Tour for all dates and venues head here<\/a>. <\/p>\n<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n