The Addams Family

Those of a certain age group fondly remember clicking our fingers along to the theme tune of the TV series the Addams Family. Tonight the disembodied hand of ‘Thing’ (Ian Hodges) prompted the audience in the actions from the orchestra pit during the overture.
The show starts with the introduction of the ‘Addams’ in the appropriately described ‘When you’re an Addams’ detailing the quirkiness of their natures and whetting the audiences appetites for the coming couple of hours entertainment. 

The plot revolves around the upcoming engagement of eldest child ‘Wednesday’ (Lucy Mayo) to ‘Lucas Beineke’ (Mackenzie Bardsley) and the strain this places on the family of ‘Gomez and Morticia Addams’ (Chris Howlett and Sandra Mayo). The chemistry between these two couples needs to ‘work’ and it ‘did’ especially in their respective musical duos of ‘Crazier than You’ and ‘Tango de Amor’.

The parent ‘Beinekes’, ‘Mal’ and ‘Alice’ (Matt Heaton and Jennie Woloschuk) are a couple who have lost their spark only to rediscover it when exposed to the quirkiness of the Addams lifestyle. Matt and Jennie worked really well together as the couple struggling with their marriage in Act 1 to the blissfully happy couple at curtain down.

‘Uncle Fester’ (sang and acted with supreme confidence by Gary Ibbetson) is the glue that ties the whole story together as he orchestrates the the fledgling love story of Wednesday and Lucas, whilst announcing his own love for the ‘Moon’ (Hannah Wilson). 

Youngest child ‘Pugsley’ and his ‘Grandma’ (Curtis Teunon and Charlotte Jeanes) alongside ‘Lurch’ (Paul Whelehan) completed the principal line up and between them caused many of the laugh out loud moments. Curtis providing a nice singing voice in his one solo ‘What if’.
A cameo role of ‘young Wednesday’ was seen as a flashback in the emotional ‘Happy/Sad’ number between Gomez and his daughter. The role was shared between seven year olds Emilia Kelly and Molly Humphries to good effect.

Essentially this is a love story, albeit a very quirky one, as well as a coming of age story between the younger cast members and it ‘worked’ on many levels. The set was superb with a balcony which allowed the Ancestors, who it must be mentioned integrated into the story superbly to make many tableau’s throughout. Each ancestor had their own individuality and enhanced the production immensely.

Lighting was atmospheric as was the smoke haze (occasionally perhaps a little too much) and choreography, led by Lucy Ibbetson, and stage movement excellent throughout. The stage although not the largest was utilised to the maximum and never seemed overcrowded. Music under the directorship of Helen Heaton (with help from ‘Thing’) was well controlled and tuneful. Singing was powerful and accents never once faltered. The production team was completed by Debi Weaver who had to cope with pandemics, multiple postponements and principal Mackenzie Bardsley breaking his leg just before opening night and playing the role on a crutch.

Finally tonight the Gods smiled and so did the audience as live theatre returned to the town of Chippenham
Well done to all concerned for finally getting this fabulous show to the stage…

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