Dark of the Moon

Review by Noah

⭐️⭐️⭐️

Seventy eight years on from a West End debut as a play at the Lyric Hammersmith, Dark of the Moon gets a musical makeover at The Charing Cross Theatre, allowing a new generation of audiences to experience it's story.

Being human is heartbreak- that's the message conveyed in this magical tale of love, loss and longing. John, an immortal witch-boy from the Smoky Mountains of the Appalachians falls for Barbara Allen, a human from the town below. He wishes to be with her, and in doing so experiences everything that comes with it, including mortality and the unpredictability of humanity.

The story itself, despite it's mystical elements, feels very predictable, particularly in Act 1. A lot of the usual tropes of love stories are seen throughout, without much depth given to certain characters. This leads to a thin plot and a lack of chemistry and connection between the actors. While some efforts are made to rectify these issues in Act 2, it ultimately falls short on delivering what could have been a unique take on a classic genre.

In spite of this, the cast do a respectable job of coveying the story to the audience, using beautifully blended harmonies and some moments of genuine emotion. This is particularly shown by Glenn Adamson (John) and Lauren Jones (Barbara Allen) during "Maybe" and "Wildflower". A mention must also go to the energetic Josie Benson (Conjur Woman) who commands the stage and the Witches with ease.

The musical score is a mix of country and rock, representing the simplicity and calmness of the humans and the chaos and dynamism of the Witches respectively. Aside from the occasional catchy beat, the merging of these two genres didn't quite pay off, alongside some forgettable lyrics- despite having three songwriters on the team.

Much like the moon itself, the production has moments where it shines, but equally does leave much to be desired throughout. A fun, frantic and familiar story, the show may yet put you under it's spell.