The Covid Diaries 93 – Park Theatre, When Darkness Falls (LAST CHANCE TO SEE)

A review of When Darkness Falls, now on at the Park Theatre. A ghostly tale which improves as it reaches its spooky climax.

When Darkness Falls

There are a couple of ghost stories on stage in London at the moment – as well as this paranormal offering at the Park Theatre, there is 2.22: A Ghost Story at the Noël Coward Theatre. Perhaps after so long cooped up watching Netflix alone at home, we are ready for someone to weave a spooky tale for us. This particular play I have been trying to see for a while. It was first planned for the Union Theatre but unfortunately cancelled, then moved to the Park Theatre where it was rescheduled at least once. But I finally made it! It feels like a triumph right now every time a Covid-beleaguered production is able to open, even more so when it does not get caught up in the ‘pingdemic‘.

When Darkness Falls is the work of James Milton and Paul Morrissey, who are more commonly theatre producers. Morrissey also directs. It’s a two-hander, with Will Barton playing John, recording his first vlog for the Guernsey Historical Society, and Alex Phelps as his interviewee. This second character has come to talk about the island’s paranormal history, and does so through a series of stories which become more horrifying as the night goes on.

As a tale of the supernatural, it is also important to recognise the work of John Bulleid as the ‘Magic and Illusion Designer.’ Bulleid does a great job of the scares; the things that go bump in the night and frighten the audience almost as much as the characters. It’s skillfully done, and fun.

Storytelling, Or A Story All Its Own?

Overall I thought When Darkness Falls quite well-executed, but there was something about the script which in my non-expert opinion could do with a little further refinement. The play starts well and comes together well, but there is a section in the middle that feels more like story telling than theatre. Alex Phelps’ Speaker character relates tales from Guernsey’s past, with Will Barton’s newspaper editor-turned-historian by turns supplying additional information or inhabiting a character. There are witches, wartime crimes and unearthly creatures, but all relayed like folk tales or hearsay. Despite the jump-scares, this meant I felt at a remove from what was happening.

Regardless of this, the play has a lot of humour, and had the hairs on the back of my neck standing up towards the end. It also, strangely, gave me a desire to travel to the Channel Islands (avoiding any witches or similar, of course). It’s a good evening out, and gave me the opportunity to go to the Park Theatre for the first time. A few dates remain in the run for those who enjoy a good ghost story.

On its own merits: 3/5
Implementing Covid measures: 4/5

When Darkness Falls on until 4 September 2021

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