Review: Bristol Hippodrome's 2:22 A Ghost Story starring Stacey Dooley left me afraid to go to bed

2:22 A Ghost Story is full of jump scares throughout, as you would probably expect from a show with a name like that.

It has star credentials with Strictly star Kevin Clifton and journalist Stacey Dooley playing the two leads, but it’s the spooky story that keeps it so compelling.

It’s quite a straightforward story, really. New mum Jenny (played by Dooley) feels her home is haunted by its previous occupant.

At 2.22 every night, she can hear footsteps and crying in her daughter’s room and believes it must be a ghost, much to the scepticism of her husband Sam, played by Clifton.

Across the two-hour show, Jenny, along with friends Ben (Grant Kilburn) and Lauren (Shvorne Marks), who are staying the night, wait until 2.22, to try to get a glimpse of the ghost.

And there are plenty of jump scares, including loud screams (and screaming foxes), which left me almost leaping from my seat every time.

The story gradually builds up to its conclusion, which is helped along by the comedy between the show’s four characters as they slowly get drunk as the night goes on.

Despite the two leads being more known for their respective dancing and investigative reporting, Clifton and Dooley bring great emotion to their roles.

There is a twist at the end, which I imagine none of the audience would have saw coming, but it does feel a bit rushed and perhaps not the most fulfilling ending.

That said, anyone who loves a good ghost story is going to appreciate this show. There’s even a seance at one point! I admit, I may have been a bit afraid going to bed last night, wondering what what might happen at 2.22.

2.22 is a spooky thriller with an unexpected ending and plenty of suspense that leaves you hooked until the end.

The show runs at Bristol Hippodrome until Saturday, August 23. For tickets, visit: www.atgtickets.com/shows/2-22-a-ghost-story/bristol-hippodrome/