The Addams Family

The Addams Family CATS Youth Theatre

CATS Youth Theatre present The Addams Family directed by Louise Cohen and as you enter the auditorium Louise wants you to feel you have just walked into their environment. With billowing smoke coming from the stage and various members of cast as ancestors dotted around. They were not afraid to get up close and personal and walking around with their broken bodies, keeping in character at all times. As I sat down and looked to my right on the floor there was a dismembered hand and chains. Not for the faint hearted. Around the auditorium were bats and skulls. The stage had two giant crosses and a headstone with large gates at the back, left was a very large moon suspended. With earie music too. The Addams Family home was dark wood and featured pictures that came to life. Not one but two beds used in this show and one that walked off stage on its own with giant monster feet – impressive! I loved the use of the flat cut out trees used by the cast. What can I say about the torture chair my eyes are still watering. It’s all in the detail. Set Design Louise Cohen, Alan Dodd and Simon White, Set Construction-Simon White, Andrew Cox, Drew Hogben, Dave Matthew and Alan Dodd. Set Artist Simon White and Drew Hogben. They deserve a pat on the back.

The lighting was effective and the use of the cross spotlights at the beginning really set the scene, adding to the smoke effect.  Lighting by Alan Dodd and Louise Cohen. Sound overall was good - maybe a few technical glitches on the first night with late mics which I am sure would be resolved as the run continued. The Ancestors really added to the atmosphere and the creation of the weather worked well and the dancing was effective, I really like the “Tango de Amor” dance. Em Cohen was the choreographer and Make-up Co-ordinator which was also effective and enhanced the clothes.

Harry Cohen takes on the role of Mal Beineke, the uptight dad and husband to Charlie Gallagher’s Alice Beineke, who talks in rhyme - much to everyone’s annoyance. I must say hats off to Charlie for carrying on when she had slipped on the table. It’s live theatre and you roll with the punches and it never phased her or she didn’t show it. Well done.

Harry Fenwick was playing Lucas Beineke, who can be impulsive, he just needs to think about it first. His girlfriend Wednesday Addams played by Madision Dilworth is not conventional – nor is the rocky road of romance they have to go through. They worked well together and great face, Wednesday (when she was carried off stage by Lucas)! Holly Reevell played Grandma Addams “but we are not actually sure if she belongs to the Addams family” she certainly created an image when she came in with her white blood-stained apron.

Nathan Dodds as Lurch was a presence with his massive boots to give him stature and his great facial expressions. How to not have any lines and make an impact (apart from the odd grunt and singing at the end).

Ethan Browne playing Fester Addams well I think I can say it’s a first I’ve seen a Fester doing a Beyonce routine. Hilarious. One minute you were laughing at him then you felt sorry for him as he was in love with the moon. Very funny the moon baby at the end.

Ethan Sheppard was Pugsley Addams the boy who likes pain. Loved his song “What If” sung really understated and it worked. Ava Deveney played Morticia Addams she kept her face suitably stern as she dreamt of the sewers in Paris and looked stunning in her black long dress with a slash of red on her lips. As I mentioned I loved the tango dance with Morticia and Gomez Addams played by Jonathan Allen. They worked really well together and great casting. Jonathan and Ava really did get the essence of the characters. “Not Today” was brilliantly sung by Jonathan. His character interpretation was amazing.

The Cast, Crew and Committee must surely be doing a Da da da da click click! As were the audience at the beginning and end of the show. The future of amateur dramatics is safe and hopefully some go on to be professional but it’s looking good in Bolton. Thank you from my guest Angela and I and for the hospitality too.

 

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