Ruby Rose And Daniel MacPherson Are Teaming Up For A Spooky Play
I’m a theatre addict, and the latest play to hit Australia has created buzz both in London and LA. Apparently, the 2:22 A Ghost Story script is so thrilling, creepy and incred, that stars Lily Allen, Sophia Bush, Tom Felton, Stephanie Beatritz, Constance Wu, Cheryl and more jumped at the chance to be involved.
2:22 A Ghost Story is making its Aussie premiere in Melbourne on July 25, 2023, and has an absolute killer cast for the limited four-week season.
Model, TV presenter, and all-around iconic media personality Ruby Rose is making her stage debut, alongside popular Aussie actor Daniel MacPherson, who recently starred in Russell Crowe’s Poker Face. They’re joined by Wellmania’s Remi Hii and model Gemma Ward.
Punkee chatted to Daniel MacPherson and Ruby Rose about what makes 2:22 A Ghost Story special, what it’s like working in Melbourne again, and if there are any other Aussie projects on the horizon.
Note: The below interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
On what makes 2:22 A Ghost Story so incredible:
Ruby: “2:22 A Ghost Story is a thrilling and suspenseful play about a dinner party between friends, but it’s so much more than that. It’s a thriller, but funny. Each of our characters have their secrets and their beliefs, some of us being a bit sceptic, it all comes to light in this play and you really unravel who Jenny, Sam, Lauren and Ben are. I think the play is super conversational and feels quite real which makes it all the more intense, it really is a frightening show – in the best way.”
Daniel: “Everybody I’ve spoken to that’s seen it, loves it. Two English buddies of mine, Warren Brown and Elliot Cowan both said to me, you’ve got to do 2:22 A Ghost Story if it comes to Australia. I’ve not heard a show spoken about in such a universally positive way for a very long time. It’s one of the best scripts I’ve ever read, it’s incredibly cleverly written.”
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On why it felt right to be part of 2:22 A Ghost Story in Melbourne:
Ruby: “I honestly felt like I needed something new, a change of pace and a challenge. It also helped that the show was in Melbourne, and I’ve been eager to come back home. I think this will be really good for me, especially after the last few years. After I read the script and had a quick phone call to an actor friend who had played the role before, I was in! It’s also such an amazing play and I feel really honoured to have the opportunity to bring it to the Australian stage for the first time.”
Daniel: “It’s been rewritten to be set in Melbourne. The themes of the play, including the class system, gentrification of suburbs, and the ghosts of the past, fit really well into a play now set in Melbourne. Can we erase them or are they with us forever? I think it’s gonna be a hit and a hot ticket in Melbourne over winter.”
On what it’s like to be appearing on stage for the first time in a while:
Ruby: “I’m excited, I loved being in plays when I was little and when I was in acting school. I think everyone should challenge themselves sometimes and I knew I was due for a big leap into the unknown. As nervous as I get, especially when I see the theatre stage and seemingly endless seats! I’m also feeling excited to learn more about myself, my castmates and to really immerse myself in the story.”
Daniel: “While I haven’t been performing publicly and professionally on stage lately, I’ve been working and rehearsing on stage over the last couple of years, so it doesn’t feel too unfamiliar. This tensely written thriller is gonna feel really, really intimate. All four of us are on stage the whole time, and I think the energy is going to be addictive. The play is about two hours long, and there’s just a huge amount of knowledge that you have to walk on stage with. There are so many twists and turns, it’s a massive undertaking.”
On coming back to Australia:
Ruby: “It feels special! This is where it all began for me, you know I started out on MTV, The Project and DJing around the place, and now I’m back! There’s obviously the aspect of being home properly for the first time in years, which means a lot to me. Melbourne is my home, and as amazing as the opportunities in the States are, nothing feels as good as being back home.”
On Ruby’s future projects in Australia:
Ruby: “I would love to get a gig in Australia on a show or find other ways to stay here and explore my favourite country but for now I’m all in on 2:22 A Ghost Story. Rehearsals are nuts! In our downtime, we sleep, eat and do laundry, but we did manage to get out and see a wonderful play called & Juliet. Phenomenal!”
On Daniel’s possible return to Neighbours:
Daniel: “I’m always so grateful for what Neighbours gave me, and to this day it still provides opportunities for me around the world. I’m really, really grateful for that and I had such a great time going back for the finale episode before it was reincarnated again. Maybe I would go back one day as it was a lot of fun, and a wonderful way to say thank you to the fans. I feel like Joel and Amy have got some unfinished business, so maybe we could explore that.”
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Image credits: Supplied