Cheryl earns early rave reviews for her performance as Jenny in 2:22 A Ghost Story

She shocked her fans when she announced she would be the latest celebrity to take on the role of Jenny in West End play, 2:22 A Ghost Story.

Yet Cheryl’s move to acting appears to be paying off, judging by early reviews from theatre-goers who were in the audience for her debut performance.

Reaction online claims that Cheryl packed a ‘punch’ and performed without a single ‘stutter or stumbles’, while her jokes also reportedly landed well, as the cast received a standing ovation at the end of the show.

Impressed: Cheryl’s move to acting appears to be paying off, judging by early reviews from theatre-goers who were in the audience for her debut performance in 2:22 A Ghost Story

Her high-profile debut in the role, which has also been played by Olivier nominee Lily Allen, Laura Whitmore and Giovanna Fletcher got off to a rocky start as audience members complained of a delayed start.

While the play began around 15 minutes late due to a full house at the Lyric Theatre, it wasn’t enough to put anyone off as they lauded Cheryl’s performance as a terrified housewife, who becomes convinced of supernatural activity in her home.

A representative for Cheryl told MailOnline on Saturday: ‘The show started at 7.44pm and everyone was in their seat at this time.’

Loving it: Reaction online claims that Cheryl packed a ‘punch’ and performed without a single ‘stutter or stumbles’, while her jokes also reportedly landed well

Reaction: While the play began around 15 minutes late due to a full house at the Lyric Theatre, it wasn’t enough to put anyone off as they lauded Cheryl’s performance as a terrified housewife, who becomes convinced of supernatural activity in her home

‘It was slightly delayed as it’s the first preview and it was completely sold out, so there was a lot of people to get into the theatre. Rehearsals did not overrun at all.’

One person said: ‘Okay but honestly I will not be taking ANY Cheryl slander for 2:22! Girlie smashed her debut. No stutters or stumbles, all the jokes landed, my girl delivered with oomp and punch. And I’ve seen A LOT of shows and performances.’

Another raved: ‘2:22 was INSANE! Cheryl slated and I am just in absolute awe.

Rave reviews: One person said: ‘Okay but honestly I will not be taking ANY Cheryl slander for 2:22! Girlie smashed her debut. No stutters or stumbles, all the jokes landed, my girl delivered with oomp and punch. And I’ve seen A LOT of shows and performances’

Another person said: ‘Cheryl was amazing in 2.22 – I genuinely think she did a really strong acting performance. Well done @CherylOfficial and the whole cast!’

A third wrote: ‘2:22 opening night. I honestly felt like I was living a fever dream watching a ghost story starring Cheryl in her West End debut.

‘I honestly really enjoyed the show and our Chezza smashed it, and the whole cast are great. What a night!’

Jenny: Cheryl’s character is a neurotic 30-something mum who is convinced the new house she’s moved into with her incredibly unlikeable husband, Sam, is haunted

Someone else who has already seen the show, wrote: ‘I still can’t get over seeing Cheryl in 2:22 yesterday! The show and whole cast were amazing! Also never jumped so much in my life [crying laughing emoji].’

A different person agreed, and wrote: ‘Cheryl was brilliant in 2:22 Ghost Story last night. Well worth going to see her.’

Noting the full house attendance, another said: ‘2:22 A Ghost Story was absolutely packed to the brim on opening night to see Cheryl.

‘I had no expectations and she did a good job. Plus I did not clock the twist even after making jokes at the interval.’

Cheryl’s character is a neurotic 30-something mum who is convinced the new house she’s moved into with her incredibly unlikeable husband, Sam, is haunted.

The slick, supernatural thriller, written by Danny Robins, received good reviews when it opened in August 2021. 

From day one the production has relied heavily on what’s known as stunt casting – where a celebrity, often with little or no acting experience, is given a role in order to sell tickets. 

Now, it’s Cheryl’s turn and she’s rumoured to be earning up to £750,000 for her three-month run. 

The crux of the play is that at 2.22 every night Jenny hears the sound of footsteps and a man crying over the baby monitor. 

Her husband believes there must be a rational explanation and her guests agree to stay until the fateful hour to witness the event for themselves. 

The official synopsis for the play says: ‘Jenny believes her new home is haunted, but her husband Sam isn’t having any of it. They argue with their first dinner guests, old friend Lauren and new partner Ben. 

Jenny isn’t the most multi-faceted character either – she’s either whispering in fear or screaming in rage.

However, there is an emotionally charged scene in the second half where she confesses her fears that their renovation has angered a lurking ghost. 

‘We’ve been so unkind to the house. We’ve stripped it, layer after layer of people’s stories,’ Cheryl shouts at one point.

The cast also includes Scott Karim as Sam, Louise Ford as Lauren and Ben Cutler as Ben.

Cheryl previously played herself in Hollywood movie What To Expect When You’re Expecting and had a small role as a cutthroat music agent in 2020 film Four Kids And It.

Speaking about her role with MailOnline ahead of her debut, Cheryl said: ‘A few people have said they wouldn’t expect this from me. But for me it doesn’t feel that far removed.

‘I think we like people to be in their little box where we know where to find them and we know what we’re going to expect. And when someone does something different, you’re like, ‘Oh’.

‘But for me it feels like a natural progression, if you like, the next step.’

New role: Cheryl is taking over from Laura Whitmore with the role of Jenny

Cheryl earns early rave reviews for her performance as Jenny in 2:22 A Ghost Story
Source: Viral Buzz Philippines