The Addams Family

They're creepy and they're kooky, Mysterious and spooky, They're all together ooky………The Addams family!

Well as per the original lyrics to the original title you guys certainly captured the vibe of the Addams Family from the outset, with some strong characterisation from some of your Principals and Company. I do not like singling performers out as a production is ‘team work’ but when it is deserved it would be unfair of me not to and in my opinion the outstanding performances from ‘Uncle Fester’ and ‘Grandma’ stole the evening for me, so huge well done to you both for such strong characterisation and flawless stage presence.

All Principal characters played strong leading roles, each bringing different strengths to the production. Not all principals had the strongest of vocals, but characterisation and stage presence certainly made up for it. In addition to the Principals I must congratulate the ‘company’ aka the ‘Ancestors’ for each portraying a unique character, offering tight vocals and detail in all performances, in fact I didn’t spot one weak performance.

I did take note that you had quite a small staged area to work with but with that said congratulations to your set designers and construction team for utilising the best of the space to hand. I particularly liked the dual level of the set as this gave a good variation to the depth of the production both from a performing aspect and from an audience perspective. All transitions between scenes ran like clockwork and it was good to see the cast be used to move props rather than bringing on crew all the time, this kept the pace going throughout.

Your costume team did a great job with all costumes, the family exactly how they have to be with Gomez looking slick and Morticia quite glamourous at the other end of the spectrum Uncle Fester dark rather dark eyed and quite freaky looking! The Ancestors costume and make up worked perfect and good to see detail with the aged costumes.

I was impressed with the lighting throughout the production, but did take note of a few instances when a follow spot was a little delayed or not used at all when it should have been. This of course is not a huge issue, but does cause a slight issue if a character is delivering dialogue in the dark!!

The highlight number of the evening was ‘Full Disclosure’, I really enjoyed this!

Credit to the Director and Musical Director for creating a very enjoyable production. I must say, for future productions to really consider thinking outside of the box when casting Principal leads as I do feel that some of the ‘less’ prominent leads would have been stronger in other characters based on vocal ability and general stage presence. P.s well done to ‘Lurch’ for stepping into the role last minute due to the original cast member being poorly.

Thank you for the hospitality shown to my guest and I, see you again soon.

 

Disclaimer

Any observation made by the reviewer can only be based on what he sees at the performance in question.  The reviewer may have received information in advance of the performance and it is inevitable that his assessment will be affected by that knowledge.

The NODA Representative’s intention is to give an objective critique of the overall production and in particular, the performance.  It should be remembered that any review of this nature can only be objective as far as the techniques used during the performance observed.  Any criticisms expressed may not have been valid at other performances and are only made to encourage higher standards in Amateur Theatre.

It is hoped that the audience’s appreciation of your efforts will have given everyone a lift and encouraged you to greater achievements in the future and that the observations made by the reviewer will prove helpful in improving future productions.

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