The Addams Family

Looking down the list of precious musicals going back to 1970 it was clear that "The Addams Family" was something of a departure from the perennial favourites such as "Oklahoma" and "Viva Mexico". Not yet ten years old this musical is based on the cartoons published for many years in the "New Yorker" magazine by Charles Addams. However, the characters are well known for their appearances in the TV series that ran for many years.  So audiences know what to expect in terms of the look of the principals.

From the moment the curtains opened onto a suitably creepy set by Mick Dawson we knew we were in for something just that little bit different. I was immediately impressed by the clarity of the diction throughout the entire show. How often I have seen patchy uses of mics in shows this year leading to parts of the plot being lost. This was certainly not the case here. Credit for this must go to the musical director Stuart North who coaxed some wonderful effects from his organ while always keeping to an appropriate volume. 

As Gomez Paul Cross could not have been better cast. He looked the part and maintained his control of the role, playing sympathetically opposite his wife, Morticia in the skilful hands of Lyndsay Pilkington. Incidentally, Charles Addams based Morticia on both his wives who bore an uncanny likeness to the character. (Creepy!). Lyndsay is a very confident performer. She produced a range of reactions to the many twists and turns in this musical. It was a complete, satisfying performance. Both Hayley Watson-Reid and Marina Murray showed us their ability to create memorable characters as the two Addams children, Wednesday and Puglsey.  Jason Morris (Uncle Fester) drew our sympathy and admiration. The side projections of his journey to his beloved moon were well-conceived.  Mick Dawson as Lurch made us laugh. When he finally managed to speak and sing it came as a surprise which Mick managed with humour. He knew how to tease the audience and worked us very well. Heather Nicholas was splendid. Clearly a player of great experience, she was comfortable in her quirky role giving us much amusement along the way. The Beineke family, John McNabb, Christine Chadwick and Karl Pilkington, perhaps the three characters who have the greatest challenge to make the audience warm to them were excellent. John particularly if I may say so. His transformation back to the days of flower power was first class. Christine's embrace of the alligator on the supper table was the highlight of the show for me!

Choreography by Janis Condon and Marina Murray was simple but effective. I loved the "Tango De Amour".

The Chorus was outstanding. Well done to you all!  The stage is not the biggest yet it never appeared to be crowded although it was!  The direction in the hands of Janet Gilbert and Lesley Riley was strong. They made the stage come alive thereby drawing the audience into the action and maintaining our attention.

This was my first visit to St. Cuthbert's. Gillian and I were very impressed, as I must add, were the audience, a full house, by the way.

Thank you to everyone, Paulines especially, for making our evening so enjoyable.

PRM.

 

 

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