The Addams Family

Bedford Marianettes are slowly but surely becoming the group to go and see. Having watched them from their early days in their new home at The Trinity Arts & Leisure Centre struggling to adapt to their new studio style theatre to where they are now: confidently putting on slick, well-rehearsed shows playing to full houses, their progress has been a revelation to watch.

The Addams Family is a 2010 musical comedy with music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa based on the old single gag, ghoulish cartoons by cartoonist Charles Addams published between 1938 and 1988 in The New Yorker and from 1964 to the present day turned into various other media including a TV series, films (a new 3D computer animated one in due out in 2019), a live action TV series and even a video game. The story tells how Wednesday has met and fallen in love with a “normal” boy, she tells her father and asks him not to tell her mother, something he has never done before, which he reluctantly agrees to but is soon confronted by the inevitable consequences. This was perfect fodder for the Marianettes to get their teeth into - pun fully intended!

The stage setting by Stage Manager Steve Ward, Corin Eaton and their team was simple and very effective from the opening number being finger clicked by a disembodied hand through the curtains cleverly depicting ‘Thing,’ through to a graveyard with ghoulish tree and cage and then when the curtains opened to reveal the inside of the macabre Addams mansion as a tiered box set complete with cut-outs where the various ‘ancestors’ took turns to watch the unfolding action.

This was an excellent creative team headed up  the two co-directors, Tara Hutchings and Mary-Beth Sewell who dividing up most of the backstage production jobs between them, including finding all the wonderfully macabre props.

The lighting design by Mary-Beth Sewell, (who also designed the crystal clear sound) was extremely inventive with the use of washes and patterns projected by intelligent lighting across the set, particularly the stage floor, all helping to create the macabre atmosphere of the narrative. Well operated by Rebecca Gale and Harry Bilney on follow spot.

The excellent costumes, particularly for the ancestors were well chosen by Tara Hutchings from Triple C Costumes and various other sources. The make up by Cleo Young and the Bedford College Students was absolutely brilliant and such an opportunity must have been an early Christmas for them all!!

The band under the direction of Musical Director, Kate Brewster was on top form and as far as I could tell pretty much note perfect. Well done to Andrew Longland-Meech and Tim Brewster (Keys), Nathan Harding  (Woodwind), Chas Hutchings (Trumpet), Liz Schofield (Trombone), Danny Barton (Guitar), Tom Chaplin (Bass) and Dan Phillips (Drums/Percussion).

Choreography is in my opinion what makes or breaks a modern musical and this show was a fine example of how it makes it. Tara Hutchings had really poured all her creative juices into producing a fantastically original, fast paced, off the wall set of numbers that were well rehearsed and entertained throughout.

Now to the cast, first the Addams family:

Frazer McDonald is fast becoming the consummate actor in the district. I have now seen him in several production over the past 3 years and he just seems to get better and better, He handles comedy and pathos with sublime ease, has a great voice and stage presence in abundance. He really was superb as Gomez and absolutely perfect for the part. Tara May provided the perfect foil with a great stern performance as Morticia providing the great chemistry between herself and Gomez. Jasmine Turner as the rebellious daughter Wednesday gave a fiery performance and was definitely a handful for her parents. And what a powerful voice – one to watch out for I think! Jake Edward Dudley as Uncle Fester was definitely my standout performance, putting across the very camp Fester with outstanding comedic line delivery. Loved his version of The Moon and Me, wonderful stuff. Max Gill nailed the annoying younger brother Pugsley very well indeed – the scene with him in chains was hilarious - and Rosie Layton was just the right side of OTT with the batty Grandma. Every time I see this show its always a young person playing the part, but it also always seems to work very well every time! A special mention to the current holder of the NODA D2 youth performer award winner, Sophie Hartley-Booth who played the young Wednesday with a wonderful little cameo. Alex Willmott as Lurch definitely needs a special mention, not only did he have the most wonderful facial expressions, but he played the entire part on stilts! Remarkable! – What’s going on in Bedfordshire - That’s the 2nd show this year I’ve seen with a character on stilts..!!?

And finally, to complete the Addams Family the cast of ancestors was absolutely sublime, providing not only a great chorus, but taking it in turns to provide the macabre statutes looking out over the unfolding action from the various cut-outs on the back wall of the Addams family home. Well done to Scarlett Ash, Marian Barron, Denise Brennan, Mark Burnapp, Grace Craddock, Laura Dorsett, Joshua Heard, Molly McCarthy, Charlotte Prosser, Sam Robinson, Phil Smith, Rachel Spavins, Sian-Kathryn Tucker, Jenny Tymon-Robins and Cheryll Wilson.

And for the unsuspecting Bemeke Family:

Sam Stevens got the straight Mal very well indeed as did Elspeth Renfrew as his somewhat frustrated wife looking to break out. Charlie Hammond was good value as the star-stuck lover and prospective husband Lucas, loved his Crazier than You with Wednesday.

I must admit, this has never been one of my favourite shows and the music doesn’t really float my boat, but I have to take my hat off to co-directors, Tara Hutchings and Mary-Beth Sewell for a well drilled team, thoroughly rehearsed cast, a very funny show and an excellent evening’s entertainment.  Last year my wife wasn’t looking forward to The Producers and was left blown away. After this production that is fast becoming an annual event. Well done to producer Charlie Hammond and the whole creative team behind this excellent production.

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.