Full Cast Announced For World Premiere of ‘Dark of the Moon’

Witzend Productions and Charing Cross Theatre Productions are proud to announce the full cast for the world premiere of new musical Dark of the Moon, based on the classic 1941 play by Howard D Richardson and William Berney, playing at Charing Cross Theatre from Monday 18 May to Saturday 8 August 2026, with a national press night on Tuesday 26 May.

Joining the already announced duo of Glenn Adamson (Bat Out of Hell, West End, UK, US & Australasian Tour) as ‘John, The Witch Boy’ and Lauren Jones (The Addams Family, UK Tour) as ‘Barbara Allen’, will be Sue Appleby (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Palace Theatre) as ‘Gemma Allen’, Josie Benson (The Harder They Come, Stratford East) as ‘Conjur Woman’, Jordan Broatch (42 Balloons, Lowry) as ‘Devin’, Martin Callaghan (Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, UK Tour;) as ‘Preacher Haggler’, Sophia Duncan (Roles We’ll Never Play, RWNP) as ‘Ella Bergen’, David-Michael Johnson (Shining in Misery, The Other Palace) as ‘Mr. Wharton’, Thomas-Lee Kidd (Fiddler on the Roof, Regent’s Park Open Air;) as ‘Thomas Allen’, Al Knott (Midnight at the Palace, Gilded Balloon) as ‘Raven’, Kiah Lindsay (A Christmas Carol, Crucible Theatre;) as ‘Grace/Katie’, Gemma Maclean (Mamma Mia! The Party, The O2;) as ‘Patricia Bergen’, Wills Mercado (The Last Five Years, UK Tour) as ‘Floyd Allen’, Samuel Murray (Bonnie and Clyde, Old Joint Stock Theatre) as ‘Marvin Hudgens’, Gary Turner (The Bodyguard, UK and Japan Tour) as ‘Conjur Man’ and Appolilly Szwarc (High Society, ArtsEd) as ‘Arwen’. Completing the cast are onstage swings Will Foggin (My Fair Lady, The Mill at Sonning), Vieve Hamilton (Cinderella, Hackney Empire) and Nick Wyschna (Death Comes to Pemberley, UK Tour).

Dark of the Moon is a supernatural tale of powerful witchcraft, small-town prejudices and the power of love. This timeless, spellbinding new musical portrays the clash of two dynamically polarized worlds—a charming rural Appalachian town and the mystical world of witches and warlocks from the Smoky Mountains that loom high above. The show’s unique musical score reflects those conflicting worlds using a thrilling blend of country/bluegrass and rock. Barbara Allen - a human girl and John - a curious witch-boy - find each other and defy their communities to build a life together. But will love conquer all - or will they be haunted by a deal that was made by the dark of the moon?

Directed by Georgie Rankcom (The Frogs; Anyone Can Whistle; How to Succeed In Business Without Really Trying; Before After – Southwark Playhouse), the musical features a book by Emmy® Award nominee Jonathan Prince (American Dreams) and music and lyrics by Grammy® Award-winning and multi-platinum songwriters Lindy Robbins (Demi Lovato’s “Skyscraper”), Dave Bassett (Elle King’s “Ex’s and Oh’s”) and Steve Robson (Rascal Flatts’ “What Hurts the Most”).

Originally written by Howard Richardson and William Berney while students at the University of Iowa in the early 1940s, the play Dark of the Moon is loosely inspired by the traditional Scottish ballad Barbara Allen. Following its original Broadway production by the Shubert Organization, the play has been widely produced internationally and has attracted notable performers and directors including Paul Newman, George C. Scott, Cicely Tyson and James Earl Jones. Sir Peter Brook directed a London production at the Ambassador Theatre in 1949.

The story has recently re-entered the cultural conversation through references in the Stranger Things stage play The First Shadow and the final season of the hit Netflix series. 

Georgie Rankcom said, “I'm so excited for this phenomenal company to take our audiences into the world of 'Dark of the Moon'. It's a beautiful piece that, at its heart, is about love and connection in the face of hatred and boasts a truly unforgettable score. We're all so excited to share this story with you from 18 May.”

Additional members of the creative team are choreographer Jane McMurtrie, musical supervisor Brad Haak, musical director Matt Herbert, orchestrator Dillon Kondor, casting director Peter Noden, production designer Libby Todd, lighting designer Jonathan Chan and sound designer Andrew Johnson.