We round up the reviews for the world premiere production of the musical, running at the theatre until the 8th August.
The Guardian: “The production is rather too ridiculous to become the tear-jerker it could be but it’s enjoyable nevertheless.”
London Theatre 1: “It’s a strong cast all round, though the standouts for me were Jones’ Barbarallen, and Josie Benson’s powerhouse vocals in the role of Conjur Woman. An engaging and eclectic production that held my attention throughout.”
London Pub Theatres Magazine: “The real star of this show is Maria Jaszewska. She plays violin in the unseen, eight-piece live band led by MD, Matthew Herbert and she’s utterly brilliant. Because the setting is a fictional Appalachian small town – vaguely a few decades back – there’s a lot of very lively folksy music and her zingy, virtuoso playing is a real joy.”
All That Dazzles: “This may not be a perfect musical, but it is certainly an interesting one. Yes, the book needs tightening, and some narrative threads feel frustratingly unresolved, but the stunning score, strong direction and exceptional central performances ensure the show remains captivating enough.”
The Arts Desk: “YA genre show needs more pace and character development to realise its potential.”
Lou Reviews: “As it is, Dark of the Moon is unsatisfying fare because it makes little sense as a show and has no emotional trajectory for the audience to react to. I have to reluctantly classify this one under ‘missed opportunity’.”
The Reviews Hub: “The original play’s themes of paganism and adultery have caused controversy in the United States over the years, particularly as it was often presented in schools. However, with its ideas of interracial marriage, dual heritage babies who are whisked away and mob violence, Dark of the Moon could also be seen as an allegory for a racially segregated America, although this production never leans into this reading. The witches here are very much witches. And for once, the Devil doesn’t have the best
music.”
Beyond the Curtain: “The cast is strong throughout, with a few standout performances; Martin Callaghan as Preacher Haggler, with his ‘never quite right’ quotes from the Bible bringing a constant bit of levity to the looming darkness. Appolilly Szwarc as Arwen – the mesmerising witch for me. Always twitching with a purpose, with an incredible use of face. And lastly, Samuel Murray as Marvin Hugdens, whose character has the biggest journey throughout.”
WhatsOnStage: “Barbara Allen (played by Lauren Jones) gives the piece its only real emotional anchor. She has genuine star quality: grounded, magnetic, and refreshingly unaffected amidst all the surrounding theatrical fog. Even when the material slips into cliché, she never does. There is a quiet intelligence to her performance that makes you wish the play trusted her more. She’s absolutely one to watch.”
Theatre South East: “There are points of strength in this production, and the cast does well with the material. The mixture of different genres of music blends well with the narrative and are complemented by some brilliant performances. There are a few issues that could benefit from further development, but Dark of the Moon is a very entertaining evening and is the start of a great production.”
Everything Theatre: “Ultimately, this is an old story that has been covered many times, but it is given fresh life by the design and a well-performed, enjoyable score. Performances across the cast are consistently strong, anchoring the production even when the material seems overly familiar. It makes for an enjoyable and engaging evening, if not a ground-breaking one, feeling particularly well-suited to smaller theatre spaces.”
The Spy in the Stalls: “While the musical numbers follow a safe formula throughout, the second act fares better in terms of narrative flow. It’s a neat little fable, with a good deal of darkness within. This production doesn’t plumb the depths, but it does seem to have fun on its shallow surface. There is a Glam Rock versus Hillbilly duel going on, and the devil has all the best tunes, as usual. There are moments of magic but, unlike the protagonists, you won’t be spellbound.”
The Stage: “Misguided mystical musical with a disjointed rock score and an undernourished book”
Theatre & Tonic: “Dark of the Moon is not perfect in its current form. It needs more light to balance the shade, improving the comic relief. The rockier numbers also need attention, to make the lyrics stronger and clearer so as to give a better insight into the coven members and their intentions. But, there are plenty of positives. The fusion of rock and country music fits well with the narrative, this production offers some great performances and technical content that enhances the atmosphere. It’s a highly entertaining evening and an absorbing slice of Americana that breathes new life into an old story.”
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