Dark of the Moon - Charing Cross Theatre

The world premiere of Dark of the Moon is now playing at the Charing Cross Theatre until early August. Based on the 1940s play, it follows the story of Barbara Allen and John the Witch Boy as they defy the odds for their love. A witch boy who sacrifices his immortality to be with the woman he loves; a woman set apart by the village in which she lives. It is a Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast and Twilight fusion, and on paper, it is a great story.

The set looks as though it came from a comic book, with sharp geometric shapes making up the backdrop of mountains and wooden panels forming the village's houses. It is striking and atmospheric, giving the production a distinctly stylised visual identity that sets it apart from more traditional staging. The design work clearly has ambition, and in moments where the story slows enough to let the eye wander, it can genuinely impress. The set is split in two, with the lower levels forming part of the village, with a clear barnyard Western feel. The upper level is harsher, with darker tones to make up the Witches' world. It is clever, and makes good use of the limited space afforded by this venue.

Photography: Tom Bowles

There are some shows where, as a reviewer, it is easier to focus on individual performances in order to construct a review. In a show like Dark of the Moon, where the writing is still finding its feet, focusing on performances individually is a challenge, simply because the cast are navigating material that demands a great deal of them. Lauren Jones and Glenn Adamson in the lead pair bring real commitment to their roles and work hard to draw the audience into their love story. The human parts of the show are genuinely moving, though the writing and lyrics occasionally feel as though they would benefit from a little more development. The witches' parts, however, have a musical quality that takes some time to settle into. The pacing, too, presents some unevenness, with certain plot lines moving swiftly while others linger a little longer than perhaps intended. The range of musical styles, while ambitious, can make it harder to connect with the show on a purely emotional level.

It seems the writers attempted to blend several styles, leaving every element feeling underdeveloped. The show pulls in the direction of folk storytelling in one moment, shifts toward contemporary musical theatre in the next, and ventures into something altogether stranger when the witches take the stage. Each of these choices might have worked well on its own, but together they create a sense of creative uncertainty that is difficult to shake. Had they committed to a single style and developed it with rigour, the show would be stronger for it. The intention is noble, but in trying to please everyone, they have ultimately done themselves a disservice.

It is a shame, as this story could appeal strongly to lovers of the supernatural. With more refinement to the book and lyrics, and a clearer sense of musical direction, it could grow into something magical (pun intended). At the moment, it just does not quite land as they might have hoped.

Production Value: 45%

Value For Money: 50%

Personal Enjoyment: 50%

Overall Score: 48% - ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3*)

(AD | gifted in exchange for an honest review)

Show Information

Venue: Charing Cross Theatre, London

Playing Until: 8th August 2026

Run Time: Approximately 2h30 - with an interval of 20 minutes

Tickets can be purchased from this link.