Since its 2021 premiere, this supernatural thriller directed by Matthew Dunster has been a hit in London’s West End.

Populist casting, including singer Lily Allen, has no doubt fed this success, so it’s no surprise that 2:22 A Ghost Story makes its Australian debut with actors better known for their screen work. Names like Ruby Rose Orange is the New Black; The Meg), and the play’s spooky subject matter, will likely make it attractive to those who rarely experience live theatre.

Which is a good thing, so one hopes they can overlook the often uninspired acting, by a cast that appeared to be under-rehearsed on opening night (when several lines were slightly fudged). Actors not match-fit for nearly two hours on stage partly accounts for the paucity of tension, at least as far as I experienced 2:22 A Ghost Story.

Quite susceptible to a good jump-scare, I was ready to be jolted, hopefully more than once. But a lot of talking and too many loudly amplified fox screams made this play feel like a lost opportunity. It’s also not difficult to work out the story’s twist before the big reveal.

As with the Los Angeles season, Danny Robins’ script gets a makeover for...