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

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

However, Cheryl’s switch to acting seems to be paying off, judging by early reviews from theatergoers who were in the audience for her debut performance.

Online reaction claims Cheryl packed a ‘slam’ and performed without a single ‘stutter or stumble’, while her jokes reportedly worked well too, as the cast received a standing ovation at the end of the show.

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 when audience members complained about a delayed start.

Although the play started about 15 minutes late due to the Lyric Theater being packed, it wasn’t enough to put anyone off, as they praised Cheryl’s performance as a terrified housewife who becomes convinced of supernatural activity in her home. .

A rep for Cheryl told MailOnline on Saturday: “The show started at 7:44pm and everyone was in their seats by that time.”

“It was a bit delayed because it’s the first preview and they were completely sold out, so there were a lot of people to get into the theater. The rehearsals were not overflowing at all.

One person said, ‘Okay, but honestly, I won’t take ANY slander from Cheryl for 2:22! Girlie crushed her debut. No stutters or stumbles, all the jokes landed, my girl delivered with thrust and punch. And I’ve seen a LOT of shows and performances.

Another raved: ‘2:22 was crazy! Cheryl scheduled and I am in absolute awe.

Another person said, “Cheryl was amazing in 2.22; I really think she put on a really solid performance.” Well done @CherylOfficial and all the cast!’

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

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

Someone else who already watched the show wrote: ‘I still can’t stop watching Cheryl at 2:22 yesterday! The show and the entire cast were amazing! Also I never jumped so much in my life [crying laughing emoji].’

Another person agreed, writing: “Cheryl was brilliant on 2:22 Ghost Story last night. Well worth going to see.

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

‘I had no expectations and she did a good job. Also, I didn’t time the turn even after joking around the interval.

Cheryl’s character is a neurotic 30-something mother who is convinced that the new house she is moving into with her incredibly obnoxious husband, Sam, is haunted.

The inventive supernatural thriller, written by Danny Robins, received rave reviews when it was released in August 2021.

From day one, the production has relied heavily on what is known as stunt casting, in which a celebrity, often with little or no acting experience, is assigned a role to sell tickets.

Now, it’s Cheryl’s turn and she’s rumored 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 on 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 reads: “Jenny thinks her new home is haunted, but her husband Sam wants none of it.” They argue with their first dinner guests, old friend Lauren and new partner Ben.

Jenny isn’t the most multi-talented character, either: she whispers in fear or screams in rage.

However, there is an emotionally charged scene in the second half where he confesses his fears that his renovation has angered a haunting ghost.

We have been very unpleasant with the house. We’ve stripped it away, layer upon layer of people’s stories,” Cheryl yells 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 the Hollywood film What To Expect When You’re Expecting and had a small role as a ruthless music agent in the 2020 film Four Kids And It.

Speaking about her role with MailOnline ahead of her debut, Cheryl said: ‘Some people have said they wouldn’t expect this from me. But to me it doesn’t feel so far away.

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

“But to me it feels like a natural progression, if you want, the next step.”