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Dark Of The Moon

1961
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About Dark Of The Moon

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Dark of the Moon is a dramatic stage play by Howard Richardson and William Berney. The play was produced on Broadway in 1945 and was the maiden production of the now acclaimed New York Circle in the Square Theatre in 1951.

Set in the Appalachian Mountains and written in an Appalachian dialect, the play centers on the character of John, a witch boy who seeks to become human after falling in love with a human girl, Barbara Allen. Originally written by Howard Richardson in 1939 as a dramatization of the centuries-old European folk song "The Ballad of Barbara Allen", it was first performed at the University of Iowa in 1942 under the title Barbara Allen.

1961

  • Her Majesty's Ballarat

  • Genre: Drama

  • Playwright: Howard Richardson & William Berney

  • Director: John Fox

Synopsis

This perennial favorite is based on the haunting folk ballad of "Barbara Allen." Employing a large cast and imaginative settings in the Smoky Mountains, it recounts the story of John, a strange "witch boy" who upon first beholding the beautiful Barbara Allen immediately falls in love. He is given human form to woo and marry her on the condition that she remain true to him. The marriage is consummated and Barbara gives birth to a witch child whom the townspeople destroy in a superstitious frenzy. During a religious revival Barbara is led to betray John thus breaking their spell of love. As she dies, he returns forever to the world of the mountain witches.

Cast

Ron Boon

John

Nick Roberts

Conjur Man

Kira Mather

Dark Witch

Kaye Buchanan

Fair Witch

Anne Nott

Conjur Women

Bill Reynolds

Uncle Smelicue

Basil Dawson

Mr Atkins

Heather Lamb

Edna Summey

Bob Chamberlin

Hank Gudger

Edwin McLenehan

Mr Summey

Julie Lewis

Miss Metcalf

Marj Ford

Mrs Summey

Anne Jones

Hattie Dinwitty

Ella Pascoe

Mrs Bergen

Edgar Bartrop

Mr Bergen

Jan Fox

Barbara Allen

Charles Taylor

Marvin Hudgens

John Fielder

Floyd Allen

Maureen Christie

Mrs Allen

Alan Wakeling

Mr Allen

Frank Ritchie

Preacher Haggler

Jan Oughton

Miss Leafy

Crew

  • Stage Management and Set Construction

    Bryan Pierce

  • Set and Costume Design

    Maurine Boon

  • Assisted by

    Dorothy Donaldson, Jennifer Needham, Heather Nelson, Jan Oughton, Frank Boermans, Roger Donaldson, Bob Jones

  • Set Painting

    Maurine Boon

  • Assisted by

    Gordon Thurling

Program