As we approach the spooky season, DADS Theatre Company are bringing the perfect show to Downham Market in 2:22 A Ghost Story, starting 4 November! They is a fantastic theatre group, who put a lot of heart into their productions, including the excellent Dear Evan Hansen this year. We got a chance to hear from the cast and crew about what’s in store in 2:22 A Ghost Story. Learn more below!
What drew you to bringing 2:22 A Ghost Story to Downham Market?
After the success of our May musical Dear Evan Hansen, I think what drew us to 2:22 A Ghost Story was how intimate the cast and script was. We had gone from this huge vast extravagance of that show, to this show that takes places in one space and it draws you in emotionally for a very different reason.
Without giving too much away, how did you go about creating the tension and drama that comes from a show like this?
An amazing team behind the scenes working tirelessly to create the physical / environmental lynchpins that are pivotal and the special effects that bring to life the supernatural aspect. This is then assisted by superb actors who captivate you and keep you hooked throughout as the scenes progress as we get closer to 2:22.
What will audience members take away with them after experiencing this show?
I would hope an experience that makes them think more about questions that they’ve never thought about. If things that go bump in the night can really just be explained by lizard vs monkey or if life after death is just the next journey that we are yet to experience for ourselves.
Scott Wood – Assistant Director
Jenny believes she hears noises at 2:22am, believing the house is haunted. How did you go about preparing for the role, and what was it like delving into the emotions and experiences of the character?
I can relate to Jenny in so many ways, I’m a believer, a straight talker and a mother who just wants to do what’s best for her family. Jenny is certain of what she’s hearing and has confided in her husband – who just simply doesn’t believe her. The night sees them share some lovely moments but also some very tense moments as you slowly realise Jenny is fighting a losing battle – Sam simply doesn’t believe her and nothing will change his mind. Emotionally it’s very difficult to keep up with Jenny – she’s very up and down throughout the story, laughing one minute, fighting the next and crying the next, flipping between heated discussions with Sam, to love and affection for her baby. Throughout the night fear quickly turns to anger and a strong determination to prove what happens at 2:22 to everyone – even herself.
Della-Marie Reed as Jenny
Sam is Jenny’s husband and is more skeptical of the paranormal. How challenging was it playing someone who questions everything, and how do you feel audiences will react to him?
Initially I related to Sam quite quickly, I can be quite skeptical myself and I definitely have his sarcastic streak. We’re also the same in that I will try to find a logical explanation for things rather than just accept them. Where we differ, and where the challenge was, is that if there isn’t a logical explanation I’m will to accept there maybe is “something else” out there. Sam on the other hand has quite a closed mind and refuses to believe that not everything can be explained with science and will just dismiss it out of hand.
I think as the show goes on the audience will turn on him for this reason. He flat out refuses to listen to anyone else’s point of view, no matter how strong their argument is and is dismissive of anything he doesn’t personally believe. On top of this he openly mocks the beliefs of others, including his own wife, effectively belittling them for not blindly following his expectations.
Darrell Kerrison as Sam
Lauren is an old friend of Sam’s with a background in psychology. How did you approach portraying the character, and what does her psychology background bring to the story?
Although Lauren is a little tipsy throughout the show, she does have a great read of people and uses her understanding of psychology to her advantage. I think most people have experienced unrequited love, so it is fun to bring that side of her to life as well. As we’ve all probably said at some point, ‘I need more wine!’.
Meg Abbott as Lauren
Ben is Lauren’s boyfriend and is more open to the paranormal. How was it exploring the character and his beliefs in the paranormal, and what do you think about Ben will resonate with audiences?
It was a lot of fun exploring Ben’s character. You first get to know him being a bit awkward meeting a group of friends for the first time.
He is the outsider and just wants to make a good impression. He is a bit of a geezer and a bit daft, but he truly cares about people. I imagine most would underestimate him.
He slowly opens up about his past and his beliefs and despite ridicule from some of the others sticks to his guns. It soon becomes apparent that the chat and stories he is telling aren’t just a desperate effort to fit in but something deeper in his upbringing and connection to the area he grew up in.
Trying to strike a balance between several changes to Ben has been interesting. He has a journey during the evening from comical cheeky cockney, through frustrated anger to a more sensitive side when he speaks of his family to caring about his girlfriend and the new friends he has just met.
I think he will resonate with a lot of people who may identify as non-religious but believe something. Everyone will have been in the same situation as Ben trying to fit into an established group. He is an all-round good guy with a lot of compassion, and a love of Soap!
Steve Jackson as Ben
What’s your favourite scary movie and why?
Thirteen Ghosts (The modern version). The reason I like this movie, is the feel and design of it, how they created all these backstories for the ghosts and tying it into their own version of a black zodiac, I really enjoyed their World making creativity. Scott Wood, Assistant Director
I love a good scary movie and I’ll watch anything from classics like Halloween and Alien, to more modern films like The Babadook and Train to Busan, by my all time number one is the original Scream. In ghostface it has a killer that has become as iconic as Freddy and Jason and it has a plot that balances comedy and horror and keeps you guessing right up to the killers big reveal. I love all slasher films but Scream is, in my opinion the best. Darrell Kerrison, Sam.
Is a hard one. I’d go with Bram Stokers Dracula off the top of my head. Steve Jackson, Ben.
The Others – although not up there as the most “scary movie” the psychological storyline is what draws me to this movie. The huge twist at the end is something I didn’t see coming and think the writing and storyline is very clever – a firm favourite. Della-Marie Reed, Jenny.
2:22 A Ghost Story by DADS Theatre Company is performing at Upwell Village Hall from 4 November to 7 November. Many thanks to the cast and crew for this Q&A. Book your tickets now!
Chris.
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