Stacey Dooley to make stage debut in 2:22 A Ghost Story in the West End

Stacey Dooley is set to star as Jenny in 2:22 A Ghost Story, Danny Robins’s critically-acclaimed thriller, when it reopens in the West End in May.

The former Strictly star will be joined on stage by The Inbetweeners star James Buckley, who returns to the play, reprising his role as Ben.

The sixth West End production will open on May 25 at the Gielgud Theatre for a 10-week run, with tickets going on sale on April 24.

“Delighted to be involved in the next adaptation of 2:22,” said Dooley. “I fell for the play when I went to watch it in 2022. All four characters feel so familiar, which means the subtle ‘ghost story’ just works so brilliantly. Can’t wait to bring Jenny back to life!”Buckley said: “I'm so excited to be rejoining the cast of 2.22. It's such a brilliant play and to be back in such a brilliant theatre. It will be great to play Ben again and now all I need to do is make sure I remember the lines.”

The Olivier-nominated ghost story follows Jenny, who believes her house is haunted, and her more cynical husband Sam. One night they invite round couple Ben and Lauren to help them get to the bottom of the strange noises reverberating through the house.

The production, which the Standard described as “remorselessly effective” and “a superior, knowing piece of genre drama, well-executed”, premiered in 2021 and starred Lily Allen as Jenny.

Since then, Doctor Who’s Mandip Gill, Girls Aloud’s Cheryl, Love Island’s Laura Whitmore and actor Jamie Winstone have all played Jenny in London.

Constance Wu took up the role in Los Angeles and supermodel Gemma Ward played the frightened homeowner in Melbourne. In total, around 690,000 people have seen the play’s various productions around the world.

The Standard’s Nick Curtis returned to review 2:22 A Ghost Story for Cheryl’s acting debut, giving it four stars a second time. “The play is witty, bracingly sweary and probes intriguing ideas. Ghosts could be straggling refugees from the afterlife, fragments of consciousness, or revenants stirred up by gentrification,” he said.

The new season, which is once again directed by Matthew Dunster (this time with Isabel Marr), will run alongside the ongoing UK tour of the play, which comes to a close in Salford in June.

Further casting is still to be announced.

2:22 A Ghost Story, Gielgud Theatre, May 25 to August 4; gielgudtheatre.co.uk