Addams Family

I received a warm welcome as always at TOPS on stage. The audience was healthy for the opening night and I hope this continued for the rest of the run because this production was well worth a visit.

The stage was set with a spooky gateway complete with cobwebs and the quality of the set was maintained throughout the production with seamless scene changes and good use of all areas of the stage. The Stage Crew were slick and the detail of showing the single arm moving the curtains was a nice touch. Other details included the inclusion of ‘Thing’ walking across the stage on his fingertips.     

As the play began, we were introduced to the instantly recognisable characters from the Addams Family. Gomez and Morticia, their children, Wednesday and Pugsley, Uncle Fester and Grandma Addams. In addition to this was Lurch, the butler. All had great costumes, wigs (where necessary) and make-up.

The opening number introduced us to the Addams family ancestors who arrived at the stage from all directions including the audience. The characterisation and choreography were excellent and the inclusion of many styles of dance was great fun; bunny hop, twist and even rigor mortis! I enjoyed the way the chorus/ensemble were part of many scenes; the ghosts of the past because they were trapped until the family understood ‘Love’.

The plot involves Wednesday’s changing relationship to her family as she has fallen in love with Lucas, who is invited to the family house, with his parents, to meet the family and announce their engagement. Gomez is forced to keep a secret from his wife, Pugsley is worried that his sister will not want to torture him anymore and Fester is eager to pursue his own love for the moon.

The differences between the two families seem insurmountable but when Grandma’s acremonium is accidentally given to Lucas’ mother some hilarious reconciliations begin to occur.

The cast are all very talented, had very believable American accents and obviously had been working hard on their characterisation.     

Simon Lambert expertly played Gomez Addams who is a loving husband and father. Simon is a strong and dependable actor who brought a warmth to his character not only in his spoken script but in his musical numbers too. Morticia Addams was played by the beautiful Natalie Hills. She looked and acted the part immaculately with a strong stature, good stage presence and again a wonderful voice. The relationship between the married couple was evident and they anchored the rest of the cast well.

Wednesday is played by Eve Glenister. Eve looked the part, acted wonderfully and her voice was beautiful. When she sang, she held the audience with her stage presence. I really enjoyed the dungeon scene where Pugsley is enjoying being ‘stretched’ by Wednesday.  Pugsley was played by Harry Lewin, what a talent! Yet again, fabulous characterisation and a good clear voice.    

Michael Lambert’s Fester Addams was brilliant. He was just what you would expect when you think of the character. He was eccentric and funny and he wanted to experience love. From his lighting a lightbulb in his mouth to his donning a rocket pack on his back to reach the moon Fester was funny and at the same time lovable.

Grandma Addams was played by Lisa Povey and the character was great fun. I loved the way she scared Alice, her voice, and the relationship with Pugsley.

Lurch was portrayed wonderfully by Chris Foale. His tall imposing persona and movements were spot on. His growly noises instead of words were hilarious and his surprise singing in ‘Move Toward the Darkness’ was really good.

The Beineke family comprised of Lucas, (Josh Handley) Mal (Marty Doyle) and Alice (Mary Bloss).

Josh played a naïve Lucas who loved Wednesday but was scared of the family reaction, he was bouncy and youthful. Marty’s Mal was the strait-laced, dominant father whose world is turned upside down by the involvement of the Addams. Mary Bloss played Alice. She was such a great character, bubbly and fun, loving, but also scared of the weirdness of the Addams (especially Grandma). When Alice ingested the Acremonium her personality changed completely and Mary did this confidently and hilariously.

This show is an example of a great team, working like a well-oiled machine; fabulous direction by Luke Coldham, on-point choreography by Victoria Purton and excellent musical direction by Clare Penfold. I like to see the orchestra in the auditorium. It helps to audience to appreciate the musicians as well as the singers and the details of the MD in costume and the musical scores being blown around in the Tornado was much appreciated. All the musical numbers were enjoyable and the large cast numbers had great harmonies and incidentals.

The special effects, sound and lighting added to the energy of the show too. I thoroughly enjoyed Addams Family. Thanks to everyone involved and well done to all.

 

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