The Addams Family

As the orchestra struck up with that iconic Addams Family theme music the whole audience stated to either clap or do the famous “click click” with their fingers. The curtains then flew open to reveal the dark and dreary setting of the graveyard. Very eerie indeed as was added to by excellent lighting.   Every single person on stage had their own characters which they portrayed excellently and stayed in throughout.

With a cast size as big as theirs, it would be impossible to mention everyone however I would like to mention a select few who really stood out for me. Mark Skett   took the lead role of Gomez Addams. No easy task but he did it well. The slick haired, cheesy and over the top romantic characterisation came through in bucket loads. Well done! Wednesday Addams was superbly brought to life by Charlotte Jervis.   The whole show revolves around her growing up and finding love in a ‘normal boy’. Her expressions were spot on and the chemistry she had with Lucas (played by Louis Patterson) was more than apparent. The ever bald Uncle Fester was hilariously played by James Fisher. From start to finish, the audience was in love with him as he took us to the moon (literally!) Lurch, where do I start with Lurch!  Tony Orbell had no dialogue as such apart from the odd grunt and a solo line in the finale. But he proved that you don’t need to have dialogue or songs to steal a scene! His last bit with Grandma Addams (Paula Lumsden) was so funny .Another standout performance for me though had to be from Kate Pilling who was the frighteningly beautiful Morticia Addams. From opening to end, she commanded that stage. Her vocals and dancing were superb.

A lively orchestra under the direction of Sheila Pearson really lent itself to the show, never once overpowering the dialogue or singing.

Maggie Jackson did a great job with the choreography which suited the members perfectly. Complex and intricate yet subtle where it needed to be. The dance at the end of the production between Gomez and Morticia was superb.

Congratulations to all involved and I can’t wait to be invited back to your next production.

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