The Addams Family

There was an electric excited buzz when I arrived at Spennymoor Town Hall to see Spennymoor stage and Song’s production of “The Addams Family” and once the performance began it was clear why.  Spennymoor have seriously upped their performances and Addams wowed every one of us in the audience from the opening to the close.  Absolutely brilliant.  Admittedly I was a touch concerned when I was put in the front row expecting an ancestor to end up on my knee but they all behaved!

This performance was superb from the onset.  The scenery, expertly created by Eric Hickson was superb, fitting and perfect for the show including gates, a staircase, hallways and the house exterior.  The costuming by Sue Marley was incredible as always but every single ancestor was incredible down to the very last detail.  Make up was perfect (though don’t forget your ears!) and perfectly complimented with atmospheric lighting from Aaron Calder and Maurice Edmondston.

The choreography was excellent from Stacey Thompson and Ann-Marie Clayton and director Liam Etherington taking on not only his first musical but also the leading male role of Gomez did unbelievably well. So much work had clearly gone into this production and the vocal harmonies under the expert eye of Jill Jackson as Musical Director shone throughout.

The opening number “When You’re an Addams” was bouncing with energy and you could feel the rapport from the cast coming across to the audience.  They were clearly having the time of their lives and as such so did we.  “One Normal Night” used the great space available to Spennymoor really well and was a really enjoyable number.  “Full Disclosure  made really good use of the stage and the spacing available especially with the amount of ancestors on stage and the creation of the “weather” at the end was really effective.  The choreography for “Death is just around the corner” was excellent, as was “The Moon and Me” with balletic solos from Stacey Thompson and Jayne Etherington which were lovely.

Diction from everyone was also really clear which we all appreciated and does take some work.

Performance wise, every last person on that stage shone like a star.  Especially so Faith McDermott playing Wednesday, what an utter star.  Unfaltering vocal, strong performance and an utterly believable Wednesday, she’s one to watch in the future.  “Pulled” followed swiftly by “One Normal Night” is a really tough vocal combination and she absolutely smashed them.  Grandma played by Robyn McGough was hilarious and full of energy on stage, and I loved her rendition as “If ya think I’m sexy” as Grandma’s chosen song.  Lurch played by Louis Sample had fabulous expressions, raising laughs from the audience even with an eyebrow raise and surprised us all with a very strong vocal in “Welcome to the Darkness”.  Josh Hindmarch gave us the perfect Lucas Beineke with a fabulous singing voice, perfectly cast opposite Faith.  Ian Patterson just feels the need to surprise me every time I see him these days I feel, as his portrayal of Fester was so energetic and really gave the character life, jumping out from the orchestra and all other spaces throughout.  “The Moon and Me” was sung extremely well and really was enjoyable.  Dan Riches playing Mal Beineke had great timing and expression perfectly complimenting Wendy Hindmarch as Alice to smashed her vocal performance completely during “Waiting” and as always looking absolutely beautiful on stage. Alesha Holliday playing an unfamiliar gender role Pugsley did very well with good timing and a lovely singing voice.

Heather Whitfield was a perfect Morticia Addams.  Sexy, sensual, gorgeous and her singing voice was lovely especially on “Secrets” which I really did enjoy greatly.  Coupled opposite her was director Liam Etherington as the suave Gomez delivering a sincere, comic when appropriate portrayal.  They were joined for their Tango D’Amour by the dancers which was a really lovely number.

There wasn’t an aspect of this which seemed to be overlooked.  Even the stage hands were in costume which really did make a difference to the transitions.  I loved this show.  I would have come again if I’d had a night free.  Really well done to you all.

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