CANTERBURY Players picked an apt play for the season of ghosts, ghouls and all things creepy with the production of Dark of the Moon at The Gulbenkian on Thursday.

The story by Howard Richardson and William Berney is set in America's Appalachian Mountains in the 1930s and tells of star-crossed lovers with a spooky twist.

Witch boy John (John Rye) falls in love with the beautiful Barbara Allen (Serena Sykes) and wants to become human.

But he soon finds true love can't cross all boundaries.

John gave a strong performance and clearly has potential for playing more high-spirited love-sick fools.

But sometimes his American accent, along with some of the others, wavered.

Petite but powerful Serena was well-cast as the alluring yet fragile Barbara and sang the only song in the play.

There was a jovial performance by youngster Sebastien Spaul as bumbling teen Floyd Allen and distinguished director and actor Ian Burroughs gave a few giggles as the bewildered Mr Leafy.

Richard Vince belted out Bible verses in spectacular fashion as Preacher Haggler and gave the play a much-needed kick up the proverbial backside.

Set design by Derek Standing was simplistic yet effective, portraying the wilderness of the southern plains.

Shame about the accents though.

Nerissa Blower