The Addams Family

The musical overture was instantly recognisable as the fabulous orchestra struck up with the iconic Addams Family theme tune. The picture perfect family portrait in the graveyard with spooky ancestors made a huge impression in their own special welcoming scene.

Visually the set was dressed to impress, where in some cases ‘less is more’ added weight to the characters on stage and the props used superbly. The lighting was creative and very effective throughout to provide the Addams Family atmosphere.  For the first night of the run, the production was flawlessly slick and superbly entertaining.

Head of the family Gomez, was excellently played by Douglas Russell in a role which couldn't be more different to his fabulous, manic portrayal of Donkey in Shrek last year. This versatile actor, with exceptional vocal range, characterised the part of Gomez with aplomb.  With a well honed accent and excellent diction, his marvellous characterisation of this massive role would not go amiss on a professional stage.  Sword-wielding ‘Trapped’, pensive ‘Happy/Sad’ and thought-provoking  ‘Not Today’, all appeared vocally effortless to him.

Superbly suited to her role and partnership with Gomez was the beautiful and talented Angela Duncan as Morticia. Looking every bit the part from top to toe she exuded star quality as the perfectly sinister, glamorous, dark and sexy spouse. The ‘Just Around The Corner’ number was fabulously tantalising and expressive; and with Gomez excelled in ‘Let’s Live Before We Die’. Both mastered the ‘Tango de Amor’, showing great skill on the dance floor. A perfectly memorable pair.

Moody, stubborn and macabre  Wednesday was excellently portrayed by Erin Thompson. Quite at home in her torture chamber she gave a sincere rendition of ‘Pulled’ as she expressively and comically stretched her pain-loving brother. Taking the lead in the ‘Crazier Than You’ number shone a light on her vocal strength which crescendoed in a fabulous quartet with Lucas, Alice and Mal.  A memorable performance by a talented young lady.

Somewhat strange and loveable Fester, Dale Burnside quite obviously played his role with ease, expressing his short ditty ‘But Love’ affectionately and with obsessive lunar love, accompanied by a starlit sky and ghostly chorus was highly applauded for ‘The Moon and Me’

Pain-loving, adoring and divisive brother Pugsley, played by Rosie Graham, gave a larger than life, boyish characterisation of her role. If you hadn’t known from the programme you’d never have guessed her gender, even in the excellently  sung, ‘What If?’. 

Wednesday’s love interest Lucas was a great role for Jonnie M-G. In trying to prove to Wednesday his equally crazy status, he also proved to be a fabulous singer, turning her head, which could change the Addams family forever.

The normal, respectable Beineke parents, in their unsuspecting way, were about to create chaos at the family dinner. Mum Alice, played to perfection by Nicole Graham and Dad Mal, equally well cast in Roger Brydon, worked brilliantly together. The superb and outrageous rendition by Alice in ’Waiting’ won huge applause while both contributed, in duet and quartet to ‘Crazier Than You’. Another very convincing and expressive pair.

The eccentric but wise Grandma was outrageously played by Karen Wilson. Aged and portrayed way beyond her years.

In stature and expression there could not have been anyone better suited to the role of Lurch than Jamie McCubbin, who led the fabulous and memorable ‘Move Towards the Darkness’. 

From opening graveyard to closing graveyard this show was filled with stellar performances and was thoroughly fabulous entertainment throughout. 

Huge Congratulations to the  professional production team, cast and everyone involved in this massive success.

© NODA CIO.  All rights reserved 

  

 

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.