The producers of new spine-chilling ghost story, When Darkness Falls, are delighted to announce a new run at Park Theatre, London, from Wednesday 24th February until Saturday 13th March, with a national press night on Monday 1st March 2021. When Darkness Falls was due to play a limited season at The Union Theatre in London this November but was unable to open due to the Government’s decision to close theatres in lockdown 2.0. Written by James Milton and Paul Morrissey and directed by Paul Morrissey, Will Barton will play John Blondel and Alex Phelps The Speaker. The audience will be socially distanced.
The London run will be followed by a UK tour, beginning at the Everyman Theatre Cheltenham from Tuesday 16th to Saturday 20th March 2021, with further dates to be added.
Set on the island of Guernsey, John Blondel, a history teacher, runs the local Historical Society. Tonight, as part of the Society’s weekly vlog, a young paranormal expert has been invited to give a talk on the island’s paranormal history. As John films, the Speaker’s stories – many of which are based on true events – unfold and delve into dark pasts, revealing disturbing truths and unforgettable terrors.
Director and co-writer, Paul Morrissey, says, “In many ways, maybe we’re all haunted. By the past. By regret. By shame. By things that have embedded themselves deep within us. A kind of trauma, that we relive. As we ‘see’ these events unfold, again and again, it’s quite clear that ghosts are very real. When Darkness Falls is a spine-chilling new play about the power of stories. Perhaps most importantly, the ones we tell ourselves.”
The producers added, “This has been a turbulent time for theatre, but we are thrilled to be one of the first full shows back at, what is arguably, one of the most exciting venues in London. Following this, we are proud to take the show on a regional tour, welcoming audiences around the country back into their local venues, even if they will be on the edge of their seats! Our seating capacity has been reduced and arranged to comply with government social distancing regulations, but this won’t stop us from giving audiences the most incredible and thrilling night out.”
Will Barton’s most recent theatre includes the title role in The Last Temptation of Boris Johnson (Park Theatre & National Tour), The Libertine (Theatre Royal Haymarket) and Toast (Park Theatre and New York). He played Boris Johnson before, in the 2017 BBC 2 drama Theresa V Boris. Other television includes A Confession, Vanity Fair and two series of How Do You Want Me?.
Alex Phelps’s theatre work includes Sir Andrew Aguecheek in Twelfth Night and Reynaldo/Priest and understudy Hamlet in Hamlet (both Shakespeare’s Rose Theatre), Raleigh in Journey’s End for Mesh Theatre Company, and Dennis Dutton in The Vertical Hour, Bob Acres in The Rivals and Orestes in Elektra (all at Theatre By The Lake). He was due to appear in The Importance of Being Earnest for Say It Again, Sorry? at The Pleasance for this year’s Edinburgh Fringe.
In 2004, Paul Morrissey and producing partner James Milton were awarded The Stage One Bursary for New Producers. Together, they produced a number of UK and International theatre productions including Cats, Chess the Musical, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and The West End Men, which toured China, Europe and the UK before playing a six-week season at the Vaudeville Theatre, London. As a solo producer, Paul’s shows have included Saturday Night Fever, South Pacific, Les Misérables in Concert, The Phantom of the Opera in Concert and the European premiere of the Broadway musical Brooklyn. When Darkness Falls is James Milton’s first full-length play. Paul Morrissey’s other writing includes the play Bingo! and the new musical Toys.
The show’s illusions will be designed by John Bulleid, an Associate of the Inner Magic Circle with Silver Star, whose other theatre credits include Harry Potter and The Cursed Child (Palace Theatre, London – current Magic & Illusion assistant), The Ocean At The End Of The Lane (The National Theatre – Associate to Jamie Harrison) and The Prince of Egypt (Dominion Theatre, London – Associate to Chris Fisher).
Set design is by Justin Williams and sound design by Tom Marshall.
When Darkness Falls is produced at Park Theatre by Paul Morrissey Limited, Chris Wheeler and Molly Morris, in association with Glynis Henderson Productions, Dawn Smalberg and Bev Ragovoy and Park Theatre.
Website: whendarknessfalls.co.uk