Review: A Ghost of A Chance ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Written and Directed by Nick Hennegan.

Theatre at the Tabard. The Tabard Pub, Bath Road, London, W4 1LW.

Presented by Take Note Theatre Ltd. for the Tabard and The Maverick Theatre Company.

Greg Snowden and Juliet Ibberson

A Ghost of A Chance gets A Spooky 5 stars at The Tabard. Twenty-seven years ago, “A Ghost of a Chance“ by Nick Hennegan won many rave reviews and awards. Recently, Nick has significantly updated the script and set it in his local studio theatre pub in Chiswick in 2025 rather than its original setting in 1998 in another local pub in Birmingham. It’s a humdinger of a production. Initially it appears to be a domestic drama, however, the narrative swings into a Faustian melodrama exploring the workings of Bob’s desperate mind as he tries to fathom out how to solve the issues he is forced to confront. Bob is writhing in guilt as he concealed his redundancy from his wife and daughter. Now, threatened with repossession of their home, his angst leads him to a point of no return. Or does it? Astonishingly, he is offered a massive fortune, but what is the sacrifice he must make to achieve a life of unimaginable wealth and leisure? The beautifully paced and ingenious script is superbly performed by Greg Snowden as Bob (a character based on Nick’s own brother) and Juliet Ibberson as Tammy. Oh my, oh my, Greg and Juliet are a dream team: perfect repartee, spot on timing and deeply convincing performances. They bring to life two poignant, yet at times, amusing characters who are drawn into an insidious plot that develops menacingly. Then there is Guy Masterson as Luke. His textured voice completely intimidated me as it ominously resonated around the auditorium. Music and sound effects created by Robb Williams added atmosphere and shudders to Bob’s grim, unenviable dilemma. A dilemma that can only be solved by Bob, and Bob alone, within a very limited time zone. Muffled gasps and stifled squeaks escaped from the riveted audience, who were trying to fathom the outcome of this multifaceted plot’s numerous twists and turns. Oodles of praise for Nick Hennegan’s masterly direction of his masterly  script. He creates an evening of great entertainment: it absorbs,  thrills and challenges the audience’s sensibilities to reflect on issues that many people have experienced or are experiencing. The Theatre at the Tabard has produced many, many outstanding productions and “A Ghost of a Chance” is another glorious feather in this wonderful Studio Theatre’s cap: Book It! See It! Applaud It! Susan Stanley-Carroll Chiswick W4