Culture
REVIEW: 2:22 – A Ghost Story at the Mayflower Theatre
The multi award-winning ‘2:22 – A Ghost Story’ which took the West End by storm has come to take Southampton’s breath away. The Mayflower is the latest theatre to see Whatsonstage’s ‘Best New Play’, and you can see exactly why it has that title. This play is a brilliantly funny, adrenaline-fuelled night that will leave you either on the edge of your seat, or cowering behind your own hands. The story is just fantastic and you feel a part of the narrative from the very start to the very end. Danny Robins (Writer) gets you constantly asking yourself questions throughout the play; not only, do you believe? But as he said, “The statement, ‘I have seen a ghost’ still has the power to silence a room and forever change the way you see someone, or how people see you.”
It’s quite difficult to give a general rundown of this show whilst trying not to give anything away, so I’ll keep this very brief. Husband and wife, Sam and Jenny, buy a new house and Jenny believes that it is haunted. Sam disagrees and when they have their first guests over for dinner, Lauren and Ben, arguments spark and everyone is in disagreement. The only way to settle the debate is to stay up until 2:22.
Not much to go off I know, but trust me, the show is so much better the less you know about it!
The cast were amazing. This play notoriously always has a star-studded cast, and the tour is no different to that. There are only 4 cast members; Joe Absolom as ‘Ben’, Charlene Boyd as ‘Lauren’, Nathaniel Curtis as ‘Sam’, and Louisa Lytton as ‘Jenny’. They all bounced off of each other perfectly and made you feel like you were just watching a group of people interacting, and not acting – it felt so natural. (Not supernatural… cheap I know). All joking aside however, it genuinely did feel as if we were watching an unscripted dinner party, seemingly effortless! There were moments where the whole audience was laughing, and there were moments where the whole audience was gasping. Nothing that was said seemed like it was thrown away, everything stuck and had some sort of impact. Bravo! I remember thinking in the interval, ‘that feels like I’ve watched the first half of a movie and not a play,’ which is so impressive regarding the small cast and fixed set.

As I previously mentioned, the set was the same throughout but boy was it impressive. It’s meant to symbolise a new home in the midst of getting renovated, and that’s exactly what it looks like. It’s such a simple set design, but there’s also so much going on at the same time and its all functional. You can tell that ‘2:22’ is used to being in much smaller theatres, but I don’t think that the set felt drowned out at all. The use of black curtains around the stage were really effective in both creating a darker atmosphere but as well as killing that extra unused space. The lighting for the show was also very integral to the success of it. The use of darker lighting for outside, with strobe effects every now and then really packs a punch in getting those reactions from the audience. And how can we not talk about the red digital clocks and use of added red lighting. There are 2 digital clocks on the whole time, and even when they’re not ‘in use’ they almost act as an extra character looming over the stage, waiting for their moment. Fantastic design!
Soundtrack wise, there isn’t an awful lot used. There’s atmospheric music, or music/sound effects used by the actors, but all music that is used is purely atmospheric and is meant to have a meaning. Which it does! I think one of the things I liked most about the play was the fact that in the 2 hour run-time, we don’t go anywhere, we’re literally just at a dinner party yet it didn’t drag. There was always something keeping you engaged, whether that be the dialogue or the movement, or even the moments of impactful silence. This is such a difficult thing to do in theatre, and for a story that is set in one place over one evening, that’s so impressive! Clearly this is something Directors, Matthew Dunster and Isabel Marr worked very hard on. With thrillers or suspense stories, it’s cliché that you can more often than not see what’s going to happen next and where the arc of the story is going. ‘2:22’ was definitely not like that. I couldn’t guess what was coming next, and that is so refreshing helping build onto the excitement of what was or wasn’t about to happen.
‘2:22’ is an amazing story that hits so many points whilst certainly getting you ready for the spooky season. The actors were brilliant, the set was fantastic and the story. Well I now know why the story is so critically acclaimed! I went to watch this play with almost no prior knowledge, and I think that’s how it should be watched. Having said this, I will definitely be wanting to go back, I feel like it may be a completely different watching experience second time around. It’s a horror movie on stage. If you plan on going to see ‘2:22 – A Ghost Story’ (which you absolutely should), try and avoid all spoilers and immerse yourself into the narrative as much as you possibly can. I wish all the cast and crew the best of luck as ‘2:22’ ends its time in Southampton on the 21st October before carrying on the rest of its UK tour. I think its safe to say the Mayflower will certainly be keeping their ghost light out for the foreseeable!
Culture
Hampstead movie review
With the passing of Diane Keaton I decided that I would watch some of her old work.
I chose to watch the 2017 movie Hampstead as it seemed to be quite a good representation of her acting skills.
It is based loosely (trying not to give the plot away, however it did come out eight years ago!) on Harry Hallowes real life, he used to live on a plot in Hampstead Heath and then managed to claim rights on it.
One of the best parts of this movie was the chemistry between Diane Keaton and Brendan Gleeson.
It felt natural and not strained which definitely made it more believable for me.
Their chemistry also helped make their characters seem more natural making their performance that much better.
I’m not one who normally enjoys romantic (some may say sappy) movies but the mixture of romance and social justice themes in this movie made it not too uncomfortable.
It gives the audience a feel-good time with us feeling like we are doing something right, due to us deciding that Gleeson’s character is right.
It made me feel like I was standing up for the underdog and marginalised communities.
I found it quite clever how they made it an easy movie to watch, not too many sad themes, while also fitting in the themes of community and standing up for the right thing.
I would say that if you are feeling a bit down then this would be a very good movie too watch.
A perfect movie for a light matinee
As a nature person, the setting of this film was spectacular.
I really liked the idea of an expanse of nature so close to a city.
It creates a very picturesque backdrop for the movie which further added to the warmthness portrayed throughout the movie.
I especially liked where Keaton’s character ended up living in the end.
However, as always there are critics.
With this movie one of the big critiques was that the story was very predictable and followed the same formula that a lot of other romance movies used.
There was just too many cliches which made it painful for the audience to witness again and due to the lack of surprises it was not the most engaging film to watch.
This goes hand in hand with the fact that the characters where more broad and stereotypical than they should have been.
The other big critique from this movie was that people thought it lacked tone and depth, saying that while it did touch on different societal problems such as eviction, class divide and property divide it didn’t pronounce it enough.
It felt a bit like dipping one toe into the water of the problems.
While I do agree that it didn’t delve deep into the problems society faces, I didn’t think that was what the movie was about or what the directors were trying to get across to the audience.
I believe that it was simply highlighting these issues in an easy to understand way.
Culture
Are Max Martin and Shellback the downfall of Taylor Swift’s latest album?
The release of Taylor Swift’s 12th LP, The Life of a Showgirl, has been met with divided opinions.
Although a record breaking 2.7m albums were sold on the first day of release, not all these buyers are satisfied.
It might be a push to say the majority are. Online, listeners argue this album is “millennial cringe” and that Swift is showing her “true capitalist self”.
Alongside Swift herself, Max Martin and Shellback produced the album.
Long-time collaborators, they previously helped define 1989 and Reputation. But this marks the first time the trio have exclusively worked together.
1989 and Reputation catapulted Swift to global pop fame.
Through hits such as Blank Space, Shake it Off and Getaway Car, Martin and Shellback provided Swift a clean break from her country roots, throwing her into the deep end of mainstream pop.
However, a decade later the formula feels tired.
So why has The Life of a Showgirl fallen so flat?
Following Swift’s last album The Tortured Poets Department, a lyrically rich 31 song LP radiating heartbreak and introspection, the synthetic glitz and glamour of Showgirl feel false.
In a post-Folklore world, where Swift proved her strength as a lyricist with the help of producer Jack Antonoff, the return to maximalism and Martin-Shellback production feels hollow.
With the loss of Antonoff and the return of Martin and Shellback, has Swift lost the reflective heart of her songwriting?
That’s not to say Showgirl is without merit.
Its production is faultless, and the album follows a clear and fluid theme.
But perhaps that’s the problem. In collaborating solely with Martin and Shellback, Swift may have created her most technically accomplished album but her least emotionally convincing one.
Whether this is a misstep or the purpose of the album remains to be seen.
But the reception of The Life of a Showgirl questions the path Swift is on.
Now the world dominating Eras Tour is over, is the peak of Swift’s career over too?
Culture
The End of Strictly Come Dancing as we know it?
We all know Strictly Come Dancing as one of the most popular prime time slots on a Saturday night.
But could this be the end of Strictly as we know it?
The BBCs show has struggled recently with allegations of bullying and inappropriate behaviour, but now Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman have released a joint statement to say they are passing the sparkly button on at the end of this series.
Their Instagram statement in full:
We have loved working as a duo and hosting Strictly has been an absolute dream. We were always going to leave together and now feels like the right time. We will have the greatest rest of this amazing series and we just want to say an enormous thank you to the BBC and to every single person who works on the show. They’re the most brilliant team and we’ll miss them every day. We will cry when we say the last “keep dancing” but we will continue to say it to each other. Just possibly in tracksuit bottoms at home while holding some pizza.
Tess & Claud
Following their joint statement they each released their own statements as a follow up.
Tess Daly’s statement in full:
After 21 unforgettable years, the time has come to say goodbye to Strictly Come Dancing. It’s hard to put into words what this show has meant to me, so here goes… Strictly has been more than just a television programme. It’s felt like having a third child, a second family, and a huge part of my life since that very first show back in 2004. I knew then it was something special, but I could never have imagined the magic it would bring.
Strictly has always been about joy, celebration, and bringing people together – and I’m so proud to have played a small part in something that continues to mean so much to so many.
From that very first series, I had the great honour of standing alongside the incomparable Sit Bruce Forsyth.
Brucie set the tine for everything that Strictly became: warmth, wit, connection, and pure showbiz magic.
I have always been in awe of our superbly talented professional dancers, our magnificent judges, and all the celebrities who have taken part. I absolutely adore our brilliant crew – every single member of the Strictly team who have worked tirelessly to make this show what it is. You are the very best in the business – the kindest, most fun, most loyal, and definitely the hardest-working team in television.
Thank you for your laughter, the friendship, and the countless memories over all these years. You’ve filled my heart in ways I’ll never forget. I’ll miss you all so much.
And to you – the viewers at home – the biggest thank you of all. Thank you for welcoming us into your homes for over two decades.
Your love, loyalty, and unwavering support have meant the world. You’ve carried us through every series, and that has never, ever been taken for granted. You are the heart of this show, and I feel so lucky to have shared it with you. Being part of your weekend from September to Christmas for the past 21 years has been one of the greatest joys and privileges of my career.
To my beloved Claud – what an absolute joy and pleasure it has been sharing this adventure with you. You’re one of a kind, and I’ll treasure every giggle, every live show, and every backstage moment we’ve shared. I’m so grateful to have you as my friend for life.
This isn’t goodbye to glitter, sequins, or Saturday night sparkle (I could never say goodbye to those!). Strictly will forever hold a special place in my heart – but it does feel like the right time to hand over the reins.
With all my love and endless gratitude, Tess x
Tess Daly has been on the show since its very first episode seeing over 300 celebrities enter the ballroom and join the competition.
She started the show with Sir Bruce Forsyth, with Claudia Winkleman being a part of their presenting team hosting the sister show It Takes Two.
The duo made history in 2014 becoming the first female presenting duo of a prime time slot.
As a team they have welcomed almost 200 celebrities into the ballroom.
Over their time on the show they have also seen nine judges join and leave the show.
Claudia Winkleman’s statement reads:
It’s very difficult to put into words exactly what Strictly has meant to me. It’s been the greatest relationship of my career. From working on It Takes Two in 2004 until now it has been my everything, the show I will be eternally grateful for. I will never forget Len Goodman trying to teach me what a cucaracha is (I still don’t know) and the complete thrill and honour it was to work with Tess on the results show to cohosting on Saturday nights.
Strictly is a magical, glittery, fake tanned train and it’s been a privilege to be a tiny part of it. The extraordinary talent of the dancers, the band, the hair and makeup and costume teams, the unbelievable production crew and creatives – all utterly amazing. I’ve always believed it’s best to leave a party before you’re fully ready to go and I know the new hosts will be magnificent, I look forward to watching them take Strictly to new heights. As for Tess – I’m so so lucky I got to stand next to you. You’re funny, kind, whip smart and a true friend and I love you.
With two of the biggest jobs in the BBC now up for grabs who will we see step into the glitz and glammer of Saturday night at Strictly Come Dancing?
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