The Addams Family Musical

This was my first visit to see Hartlepool Stage Society perform at Hartlepool Town Hall Theatre. I had heard good things previously about their shows from friends of mine, so I was really looking forward to seeing their portrayal of ‘The Addams Family Musical’. I was NOT disappointed.

Opening with a closed set, the band struck up with that iconic Addams Family theme music as the overture and the hand (Thing) popped out through the curtains and did the “click click” with its fingers.

The curtains then flew open to reveal the dark and dreary setting of the graveyard. Very eerie indeed as was added to by excellent lighting and the introduction of set on projection which was on a large LED screen. Very colourful and bright indeed!

Every single person on stage had their own characters which they portrayed excellently and stayed in throughout. With a cast size as big as theirs, it would be impossible to mention everyone however I would like to mention a select few who really stood out for me.

Peter Rowlands not only directed the show, but also took the lead role of Gomez Addams. No easy task but he did it well. The slick haired, cheesy and over the top romantic characterisation came through in bucket loads. Well done!

Wednesday Addams was superbly brought to life by Sally Smith. The whole show revolves around her growing up and finding love in a ‘normal boy’. Her expressions were spot on and the chemistry she had with Lucas Beineke (played by Callum Gaffney) was more than apparent.

The ever bald Uncle Fester was hilariously played by Nathan Dippie. From start to finish, the audience was in love with him as he took us to the moon (literally!)

Lurch, where do I start with Lurch! Tom Scorer had no dialogue as such apart from the odd grunt and a solo line in the finale. But he proved that you don’t need to have dialogue or songs to steal a scene! His last bit with Grandma Addams (played in this performance by Christine Close) was so funny for reasons I cannot go into on here, but they know why.

The standout performance for me though had to be from Elizabeth Marshall who was the frighteningly beautiful Morticia Addams. From opening to end, she commanded that stage. Her vocals and dancing were superb. How she did not trip over that dress I will never know!

A lively five-piece band under the direction from the piano of Christine Langridge really lent itself to the show, never once overpowering the dialogue or singing.

Elizabeth Marshall and Jill Jackson did a great job with the choreography which suited the members perfectly. Complex and intricate yet subtle where it needed to be.

Congratulations to all involved and I can’t wait to be invited back to your next production.

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