Laura Whitmore is outstanding on stage in story of urban ghosts and yuppie vandalism

2:22 – A Ghost Story at 3Olympia Theatre, Dublin until August 11

Laura Whitmore in 2:22 A Ghost Story. Photo: Helen Murray

Katy Hayes

This is an unusual offering for Dublin, a standalone Irish production of a West End hit with a seven-week run in the Olympia — almost unheard of for a straight play. But Danny Robins’ ghost story has done the business in London with a variety of high-profile casts — so producers are confident.

The up-tempo pre-show music sets the tone: producers Runaway Entertainment want you to have a good time. New parents Jenny and Sam are in their half-renovated suburban London home. He’s a scientist, she’s a teacher. They invite Lauren (Laura Whitmore) and her boyfriend Ben for dinner. Lauren, a psychiatrist, is an old friend of Sam’s from college. Ben, a working-class lad among all these professionals, came to renovate Lauren’s bathroom and never left. Sam is just back from a work trip. While he was away, Jenny became convinced their house is haunted by the previous owner, a man who appears at 2.22am each night and sobs in the baby’s room.