The Addams Family

I was warmly welcomed on arrival by the principal, Debbie Marks. This academy/society provides classes in performing arts and has an annual production featuring young people from the academy. The age range for this production was 6-17 years with a cast of 19.This was a junior version of The Addams Family and gave the opportunity for the young cast to shine. In fact, there were two mainly separate casts for this production which gave opportunities for all. Two of the principals along with the two senior dancers appeared in both casts.

The opening scene was suitably macabre and spooky and the set comprised steps up to a balcony area with good entrances left and right . In fact the cast made excellent use of the stage and set throughout. Props were a settee moved onto and off the stage and a fabulous “electric” chair which was very convincing!

In the performance which I saw, Gomez, played by Ted and Morticia, played by Ella, were very powerful and proved well suited to their roles as father and mother to Wednesday, played by Matilda. All three had strong voices, good acting skills and some great facial expressions. They were the “unusual” family with links to the “ancestors”and spooks.

A “normal” family came on the scene, Alice Beineke played by Lily, Mal Beineke played by Erin and Lucas Beineke played by Ashton. Wednesday falls in love with Lucas and arranges for her family to host a dinner for the “normal” family. This act was quite hilarious in places and again all the cast acted and sung very confidently.

I loved the character of Grandma, played by Zachary and I had a strong impression that he was enjoying this role. He acted well and bought some humour to the part.

Movement was good and well rehearsed and the two senior dancers, Megan and Phoebe had good expression in their movements. The cast was completed by Pugsley( Alice), Fester ( Caitlin) and Lurch(Fraser) and all the “ancestors”, Alice, Poppy, Penelope, Dexter, Isla, Sky and Darcy. All suitably scary !

Congratulations to the tutors, Debbie Marks, Leanne Field and Gemma Field for rehearsing the cast so well and inspiring confidence.

Trevor Marks did a sterling job as Stage Manager. Lighting was simple with good use of spots and the sound was just right.

Costumes were very appropriate and sourced from the academy wardrobe.

I must also thank the hardworking chaperones for their essential role.

All in all ,this was an impressive performance from a talented cast ,ably directed by the tutors. Well done to the young cast and to everyone involved. It was a joy to watch.

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