The Addams Family

The Addams Family
3rd July 2025
Produced by: ACTS Theatre School
Written by: Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice
Music and Lyrics: by Andrew Lippa
Performed at the McMillan Theatre.
Directed by: Emily Searle
Musical Director/ Vocal Coach: Kizzy Maguire
Choreographer: Daisy Searle

Reviewed by:Mike Purnell

Thanks so much for the lovely warm welcome received on arrival. Always
nice to catch up with your producer Ann and get the low down of the show
and how it all came together. Thanks for my lovely seats too. Perfect.
Having seen the high standard of Oliver last year, I had no doubt I was in for a
big treat tonight with the Addams Family. Even upon entering the auditorium
you were immediately transported into the Addams family world. I understand
the set was home-made and I must say an absolute credit to you. I loved how
you reached straight out to the both pross arches and really utilised every
inch of the stage. I also appreciated the gravestones lining the front of stage.
That was a nice touch. The lighting was also very atmospheric for us to enter
into.
The audience were certainly with you from the off, and I just loved how they
joined in with the clapping of the theme tune for the Addams family. I think we
all knew we were in for a good night.
This musical leans into dark comedy and campness embracing the macabre
charm of the Addams clan. It’s not a direct adaption of the TV or film
versions, but rather an original story that explores family dynamics with a
spooky twist. This musical has stirred up a mix of reactions over the years,
but when it hits the mark it’s a ghoulishly delightful ride. I must say you’ve
certainly hit the mark on many levels and I found this to be a very enjoyable
production indeed.
The opening number was very strong 'When You’re an Addams’ each
character was depicted perfectly and costumed exactly right. Then we had
the treat of the ancestors arriving. I must say these costumes and wigs were
an absolute delight. Well worth spending extra money on. I loved that they
were all completely different and wigs in various styles and it completely
worked. Well done. Everyone was completely focused on the show. I spent
some time looking around it all the faces which I enjoy doing just to see if
anyone’s nodded off but I didn’t catch anybody out. Everybody was putting
everything they had into their performance.
 

As we moved inside the house, I did feel the lighting was quite bright on the

first couple of scenes. For me it lacked that introduction of the dark
atmosphere you would’ve expected the Addams family to have lived in, but
this did change halfway through the first act. Not sure if it was a day and
night thing, but I did feel we would’ve expected the house to be dim and
durgy from the beginning (that’s my only thought on that out of the way).
It’s never easy when you’re working with backing tracks as it gives you no
leeway and once you lose a beat it’s so difficult to get back on track, but it
was obvious you’d rehearsed to within an inch of your life as it seemed every
note was spot on well done for that as I know it’s not always easy and the
Addams family score is not an easy one to sing.
I thought the lighting was pretty good throughout - always seemed to be
mostly on cue. Some nice atmospheres with certain colour washes created
good pictures throughout with the nice use of smoke when needed.
I thought sound too was of a high standard, although there was a couple of
times the voices were drowned by the backing track, but this did seem to get
sorted as the songs progressed so I’m sure the rest of the run would’ve gone
very smoothly.
All in all I hope everyone was very proud of this production as it really did
seem to tick every box. What came across more than anything was that it felt
to be a good team effort with everyone pulling together and I loved how
backstage crew costumed up to help with scene changes and I must say this
was run very, very smoothly. In fact the pace of the show in general was
excellent.

Choreography
It was so lovely to meet you, Daisy. Thank you for coming up and introducing
yourself. I really appreciated that. I really enjoyed your creativity. You certainly
have a theatrical flair and ability, and brought the spooky ensemble to life. We
had some nice quirky Gothic stylings and one of the highlights for me was
the tango. This was absolutely super. This must’ve been really good fun for
you to work on and I will say that absolutely came across the footlights well
done.

Musicality
Well I must say considering only a vocal coach is listed in the program and no
musical director as such. I will say you all did pretty damn well maybe Kizzy
did more of a musical director role, either way we had some very strong
singing good harmonies coming through at times and the solo songs were of
a very high standard. Timings were very difficult for most of these songs, but
each individual handled them extremely well.

Gomez (Harley)

What a talented young man you are. I thoroughly enjoyed your Fagin in Oliver.
On this part just goes to prove your versatility a very strong singing voice with
a nice high powerful register. You were the beating heart of the family and
were romantic, eccentric, and hilariously dramatic all in equal measure. We
really felt for you being the devoted husband when you were caught between
loyalty to his daughter and honesty to his wife we felt your pain. Your songs
hit exactly where they needed to. “Trapped” was a great number for you and
the last note very impressive. Well done young man.

Morticia (Phoebe)
I still can’t get beyond that dress! Wow you looked sensational. You were
Morticia from the top of your head down to your toes. This was an excellent
performance keeping character from beginning to end. Great interaction with
Gomez and the rest of the family. Absolutely loved the Tango. Well done

Wednesday (Kacey)
Gosh if looks could kill we’d all be turned to stone. A nice study of the
character. I liked how the storyline focused around you so we could actually
see the “romantic” side to Wednesday it gave her a bit of emotional depth
which you handled well. Good singing voice and good timing. Very enjoyable.

Pugsley (Reuben)
The look was perfect. You showed us your devious side with a love for the
macabre. Very funny indeed. “Pulled” between you and Wednesday was just
brilliant.

Uncle Fester (Demi)
The audience absolutely loved you. You were so warming. The Moon and Me
was so heart felt. You worked so well with all the family and came across as a
great team player. Well done.

Grandma (Daisy)
I just loved your characterisation from beginning to end. You didn’t drop it for
a second. You are a great little character actress with terrific stage presence.
You really bought Grandma to life. It looked like everything had been thought
of, make up, wig and detail on your costume was just right. Well done.

Lurch (Toby)
Uuuugghhhhh!,,, how did you learn all that dialogue? It’s a shame Lurch
doesn’t get more to do but what you did remained focused and in character.
Good job.

Lucas (George)

You brought a delightful contrast to the macabre Addams clan. You came
across as the typical boy next door which was just right. You showed a
genuine love of Wednesday. Your contribution to the musical numbers you
were involved in was greatly appreciated.

Alice (Emily)
This was a great comedic role for this actress. Initially portraying a
conservative slightly repressed housewife who speaks in rhyme when
nervous, which added nicely to the comic touches of Alice. You certainly
came into your own after taking the truth serum at the dinner party, that prim
exterior was out the window. A great scene stealer. You had a chance to
shine in the musical numbers too “Waiting” and “Crazier than you” and you
certainly did. Well done.

Mal (Ethan)
You certainly portrayed the conservative uptight man who’s skeptical of
anything outside of his comfort zone. But as the show progressed we really
got to see the side of you that was forced to find the long lost rebellious side
and confront the emotional distance within your marriage. I felt you really
grew in confidence as the show went along, and really came into your own
when you let go and went for it.

Director
I really hope you were extremely proud of what you have created. A great
pace to the show. I only noticed one dead spot during scene changes which
may have gone a little wrong in second act, but we won’t talk about that!
Everything else went swimmingly well. You made great choices with the set.
Super to have so many levels to work with. Always makes a more interesting
show. I liked the use of the portraits either side with the ancestors. Maybe it
would have been nice to have seen “Thing” in one of the portrait scenes.
Shame he was missing. Costume choices were great. The ancestors looked
perfect as did all principals. I’m still in love with Morticias dress!
All in all you made some great choices and they all worked. Congratulations
to you. Can’t wait for the next one.
Thanks again for your lovely warm welcome and hospitality it was much
appreciated. A great night out at the theatre.
Best Wishes
Mike

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