If Twilight and TVD had a baby, it would be 'Dark of the Moon'

Photo by Daniela Denyer Malo

It is a rare thing, to find such talented actors in a production with such a terrible script as this one. Dark of the Moon is the musical currently playing in the Charing Cross Theatre and if the AI-looking poster isn’t enough to deter you from attending, the first song will make it all worth it… right up to the point where the ‘witches’ start singing.

Dark of the Moon is a supernatural musical set in the Appalachian Mountains, where the human world collides with a mystical realm of witches. It follows the forbidden romance between Barbara Allen and John, a young witch, as they defy the prejudice of their families and traditional thought in pursuit of a life together. Blending country, bluegrass and rock sounds, the musical explores love, sacrifice and the consequences of making bargains.

The talent of every actor and actress on that stage is astounding and unmatched, and I would be surprised if anyone in the crowd didn’t leave that theatre asking why they’re not all cast in the best productions of the West End itself. Glen Adamson (MMC) and Lauren Jones (FMC) are perhaps the only good thing about the love story at the centre of this plot, and their acting is so convincing, it almost makes you feel for the characters and their stories. 

Josie Benson’s voice can only be described as an incomparable force of nature in its own right and her acting turns an utterly terrible character into a convincing and detestable villain. Sophia Duncan has come right out of a Disney movie herself, with a voice that could enchant forest creatures and puts the entire audience in a trance. 

Jordan Broatch, Al Knott, and Appolilly Szwarc bring all the humour an otherwise goosebump-inducing act needs. Martin Callaghan, Thomas-Lee Kidd, and Sue Appleby project a caring energy for the cast that goes further than their roles’ requirements, and overall as the audience, you get the feeling that the connection, love, and familiarity in this cast runs deep. 

And while the cast truly is the best of the best, the script…well, that’s what leaves the viewers wanting more. The story feels like the unpublished, unedited drafts of the Twilight movies - awkward, unclear, and forced. The songs and dialogue of the witches feel like a low budget Descendants remake. In summary, while watching this musical, you’ll find yourself (and the rest of the audience), asking repeatedly ‘what am I even watching?’

Although the talent is present and loud, it seems wasted on this musical script. A band, a cast, and songs with the potential of creating a wonderful, original, and meaningful show and experience, result in a sadly awkward production once the dialogue is introduced. 

It is the kind of musical that would work better in a film or show format, the type of teenage show that doesn’t need to be a work of art to be enjoyable to its audience – something along the lines of The Vampire Diaries or Teen Wolf. As a musical production, however, we’re left feeling like we’re missing half of the story, while simultaneously  getting scenes that are unnecessary and seem to only serve the purpose of making it longer than it should be. The songs are beautiful, yet when it’s time for the characters to have actual conversations, they are either repetitive, insanely awkward for anyone watching, or simply irrelevant to the plot. 

The message the musical leaves the audience with is beautiful, the cast’s talent is incomparable, but as for the story, unfortunately, Dark of the Moon would be better off being kept in the dark.

Dark of the Moon is running from the 18th of May until the 8th of August at the Charing Cross Theatre and tickets can be bought here.