The Addams Family

 

The Addams family is a musical comedy, based on the original cartoon strip by Charles Addams, and the resulting classical television series of the same name.  wWth over 700 performances on Broadway and a very successful UK Tour, it has become a very popular amateur show, and on tonight’s performance, you can see why.

Entering the intimate auditorium of the Robin Hood Theatre, the audience passed family portraits of the characters (done by students at the local college), and the open stage was their first glimpse of the marvellous graphics and set designed by the show’s producer, and built by society members. These would have graced any professional production, especially the torture rack and the inquisitorial chair which were to feature later. Justin was also responsible for the first-rate programme – what a talented chap he is!!

The plot revolves around the engagement of the daughter of the ghoulish family, Wednesday, to a “normal” American teenager, Lucas Beinike. The two families have a dinner together to get to know each other better, with hilarious results. The chorus consists of Addams Family Ancestors, from stone-age man to 1960s Twiggy look-alikes, who act as a Greek chorus, observing, commenting and occasionally contributing to the action. They were very good, and I could hear some fine voices in the mix.

The principals were all well cast, James Fry as a delightfully oily Gomez and Natasha Wade as a sexy Morticia, with their children the sulky teenage Wednesday played well by Lucy Brown, and the wickedly mischievous twelve-year-old son, Pugsley, played convincingly by Roseann Edis at the age of 37!! The family was completed with Grandma, played with great character by Sarah Chrimes, and Uncle Fester (played by Will Dewick) who had the audience in stitches particularly with his song to the Moon. The family butler, Lurch, was well cast and played by Nicholas Oliver. The Beineke family, father Mike Follen, mother Jade Mulligan, and son Ollie Kirkwood, were convincing as normal Ohio tourists out of their depths in ghoulish New York, and Jade’s performance in the Full Disclosure scene was hilarious.

The music was provided by backing tracks, and the singing was coached and managed by Lindsay Follen. Diction was generally excellent, which is so important in a wordy show like this. Lighting created just the right spooky mood, and the sound and sound effects were first-rate.

As mentioned earlier, the set was admirable, and the stage crew slick and efficient.  The projected backdrop graphics were perfect although inevitably some clarity was lost under stage lighting.

Make-up in this show forms an integral part of each character. I don’t know if there was a make-up team, or if each cast member managed their own, but it was very good.

Over all, an excellent production. This society obviously has high standards and the audience went home chuckling. What more can you ask for?

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