Dark of the Moon, based on the classic 1941 play by Howard D Richardson and William Berney, comes to Charing Cross Theatre
THE SHOW
DARK OF THE MOON is a supernatural tale of powerful witchcraft, small-town prejudices and the power of love.
This timeless, spellbinding new musical portrays the clash of two dynamically polarised worlds – a charming rural Appalachian town and the mystical world of witches and warlocks from the Smoky Mountains that loom high above.
The show’s unique musical score reflects those conflicting worlds using a thrilling blend of country/bluegrass and rock.
Barbara Allen – a human girl and John – a curious witch-boy – find each other and defy their communities to build a life together.
But will love conquer all – or will they be haunted by a deal that was made by the dark of the moon?
THE CAST
Glenn Adamson as ‘John, The Witch Boy’
Lauren Jones as ‘Barbara Allen’
Sue Appleby as ‘Gemma Allen’
Josie Benson as ‘Conjur Woman’
Jordan Broatch as ‘Devin’
Martin Callaghan as ‘Preacher Haggler’
Sophia Duncan as ‘Ella Bergen’
David-Michael Johnson as ‘Mr. Wharton’
Thomas-Lee Kidd as ‘Thomas Allen’
Al Knott as ‘Raven’
Kiah Lindsay as ‘Grace/Katie’
Gemma Maclean as ‘Patricia Bergen’
Wills Mercado as ‘Floyd Allen’
Samuel Murray as ‘Marvin Hudgens’
Gary Turner as ‘Conjur Man’
Appolilly Szwarc as ‘Arwen’
Will Foggin (swing)
Vieve Hamilton (swing)
Nick Wyschna (swing)
THE CREATIVE TEAM
Directed by Georgie Rankcom
Book by Emmy® Award nominee Jonathan Prince
Music and Lyrics by Grammy® Award-winning and multi-platinum songwriters Lindy Robbins, Dave Bassett and Steve Robson
Choreographer – Jane McMurtrie
Musical Supervisor – Brad Haak
Musical Director – Matt Herbert
Orchestrator – Dillon Kondor
Casting Director – Peter Noden
Production Designer – Libby Todd
Lighting Designer – Jonathan Chan
Sound Designer – Andrew Johnson
Originally written by Howard Richardson and William Berney while students at the University of Iowa in the early 1940s, the play Dark of the Moon is loosely inspired by the traditional Scottish ballad Barbara Allen.
Following its original Broadway production by the Shubert Organisation, the play has been widely produced internationally and has attracted notable performers and directors including Paul Newman, George C. Scott, Cicely Tyson and James Earl Jones. Sir Peter Brook directed a London production at the Ambassador Theatre in 1949.
The story has recently re-entered the cultural conversation through references in the Stranger Things stage play The First Shadow and the final season of the hit Netflix series.
Dark of the Moon will play at Charing Cross Theatre from Monday 18 May to Saturday 8 August 2026
