Review! Dark of the Moon at Charing Cross Theatre, June 2026

This week, we headed to Charing Cross Theatre to see the new dark fantasy musical Dark of the Moon — a supernatural story of love, prejudice, and witchcraft. As someone with a fondness for the supernatural, I took my seat wondering whether this haunting tale would cast its spell on me.

Loosely inspired by Scottish and English folklore, as well as the centuries-old song The Ballad of Barbara Allen, Dark of the Moon follows the story of Barbara Allen, a human girl, and John, an immortal witch boy. As their relationship blossoms, they must confront the consequences of a fateful bargain made under the dark of the moon. Will their love endure, or will the past come back to haunt them?

There was a great deal about this production that I enjoyed. Having gone in with little prior knowledge beyond the synopsis, I felt able to approach the piece with an open mind. One of the first aspects that stood out to me was Jonathan Chan’s lighting design. His work clearly distinguished the mortal and supernatural worlds, while effectively highlighting moments when characters could and could not see one another. The score, composed by Lindy Robbins, Dave Bassett and Steve Robson, was equally impressive. Blending folk influences with elements of rock, it created a rich and atmospheric soundscape that heightened many of the musical’s most powerful and emotionally charged moments.

However, Jonathan Prince’s book left me wanting more. The story feels like a fantasy-infused take on Romeo and Juliet and, while I found myself invested in the central relationship between Barbara Allen and John, the supporting cast proved less compelling. The sheer number of characters introduced made it difficult to connect with many of them, particularly as several received limited development throughout the story. As a result, I was often left unsure of their significance or why I should be emotionally invested in their journeys.

That is not to say the cast were anything less than exceptional; they were undoubtedly one of the production’s greatest strengths. Particular standouts included Martin Callaghan as the Preacher, alongside Josie Benson and Gary Turner as the Conjur Woman and Conjur Man respectively. Benson’s powerful vocals resonated throughout the auditorium, while both she and Turner brought a commanding presence to their roles. Sue Appleby conveyed a genuine warmth and compassion as Barbara’s mother, particularly in moments when her daughter needed comfort, while Thomas-Lee Kidd delivered a convincing and fiercely protective father figure.

Naturally, my highest praise goes to Glenn Adamson and Lauren Jones as John and Barbara Allen. Adamson impressed not only with his powerful, rock-inspired vocals but also through the physicality of his performance. His portrayal of the witch boy’s curiosity and bewilderment towards the human world was both engaging and often charming, with his expressive facial reactions adding moments of humour and personality throughout.

Having previously seen Lauren Jones in Edward Scissorhands, I was excited to watch her take on the role of Barbara. As a young woman yearning for something beyond the life expected of her, Jones delivered a confident and compelling performance. Her vocals were consistently stunning, and she carried the emotional weight of the role with ease. She is undoubtedly a performer whose future work I will be eager to follow.

Overall, this production demonstrates considerable potential, with themes that are likely to resonate with a wide range of audiences. While the book could benefit from further development, the foundations are in place for a truly captivating and enchanting theatrical experience. It is clear that the musical has already cultivated a dedicated following; having spoken to audience members who were attending their sixth performance, its appeal and ability to connect with viewers is evident. I remain interested in seeing how the show evolves and would gladly return to watch a future production.

Dark of the Moon is playing at Charing Cross Theatre until 8th August 2026.

⭐⭐⭐

https://darkofthemoonmusical.co.uk/