'A Ghost of a Chance' Gets a Spooky 5 Stars at the Tabard

A dream team perform in an insidiously menacing plot


Greg Snowden (playing Bob) and Juliet Ibberson (playing Tammy). Picture: Matt Hunter

April 5, 2025

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 in1998 in another local pub in Birmingham.

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 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 round 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.


Juliet Ibberson 'deeply convincing' as Tammy. Picture: Matt Hunter

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.


Greg Snowden playing Bob. Picture: Matt Hunter

Muffled gasps and stifled squeaks escaped from the riveted audience who were trying to fathom the outcome of the numerous twists and turns within this multifaceted plot.

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

Revived for the first time since its initial run, it now plays a limited three week run from Wednesday 2 to Saturday 19 April. The play is suitable for anyone aged over 14.

Tickets for the preview performance on 2 April cost £18 and then until 12 April the price is £23.50/£19.50 concessions and, following that £25.50/£21.50 concessions until the end of the run.

Book tickets here.

 

Rehearsals take place for A Ghost of a Chance
Rehearsals take place for A Ghost of a Chance

Coming Up at The Tabard

Theatre at the Tabard is at 2 Bath Road, Chiswick (W4 1LW).

 

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