Review: 2:22 A Ghost Story

2:22 A Ghost Story (Helsinki City Theatre)

Helsinki City Theatre performs the play 2:22 A Ghost Story on the Arena stage. It is written by Danny Robins and directed by Paavo Westerberg.

This is a special play because as a blogger, on the one hand, I would like to analyze and think about anything, and on the other hand, I definitely don’t want to spoil anything from anyone. So I have to restrain myself and settle for a more general text in the sense that I don’t hint at anything. In addition to suspense, confusion and insight are great factors in this play.

In Westerberg’s direction, the creation of tension begins right from the start, and even though there are more relaxed times in the play, the undertone is unrelenting. This is partly ensured by the bell glowing with red numbers, which makes the viewer unable to forget the inevitable passage of time for a moment. The atmosphere between the characters has been created very successfully, as well as their different relationships – and influences – with each other.

The main acting quartet does an excellent job. Lauri Tilkanen Sam is somewhat contemptuous of others and very sure of himself. As his wife, Jenny, Pia Andersson creates a picture of a more vulnerable character, a woman who nevertheless tries to hold on to her own ideas and will. Sanna-June Hyden Lauren offers a different image of women; more confident, but by no means flawless. Sauli Suonpää’s Ben is a more down-to-earth everyman, who understands people better through humanity than through science. In their smaller roles, Matti Rasila and Leena Rapola are just the right amount of understated and believable.

The presentation of the play is a functional whole. The set design designed by Antti Mattila is a realistic shot of a young family’s home. The costumes designed by Laura Dammert and the camouflage designed by Maija Sillanpää contribute to the appearance of the characters, also appropriately indicating social class. Aleksi Saura’s compositions and sound design create atmospheres and contribute to the story. Petteri Heiskanen’s lighting design is a chapter of its own – the use of lights is a very essential part of this play.

The audience was closely involved in the tension of the play. The occasional glimpse of humour was laughed at with delight. At times, you could really sense the intense tension.

I was accompanied in the performance by a relationship man who said that “this was one of the toughest ever!” Afterwards, we talked about many events, details, etc. – and in unison we marveled at the great story and the functional implementation.

2:22 A Ghost Story was a very memorable experience! The intense, captivating story, nicely presented, sucked you in so much that you didn’t think about anything else while watching it. As such, it’s a shame that I can’t go into more detail for fear of spoiling, but believe me when I say that if you are fascinated by the suspense, the nuances of horror, the intensity, the psychological twist and the inexplicability of some things, this is really worth seeing! You don’t get to experience this very often.