The Addams Family Musical

Report on

Devizes Musical Theatre’s
Production of

“ The Addams Family Musical”

Director – Lyn Taylor ,
Musical Director – Peter Nelson,
Vocal Musical Director - Ben Griffths-Mills ,
Choreographer – Jacqui Davison.
Lighting – Matthew Herring,
Sound – Tony Bonner.

As seen by Bob Allen, NODA SW District 14 Representative

on Thursday, 2nd, April, 2026,

at Dauntsey’s School Memorial Hall, West Lavington, Wilts.

PLEASE NOTE:

Any observation made by the reviewer can only be based on what he sees at the performance in
question. The reviewer may have received information in advance of the performance, and it is

inevitable that his assessment will be effected by that knowledge.

The N.O.D.A. Representative’s intention is to give an objective critique of the overall production and in
particular the performance viewed. It should be remembered that any review of this nature can only
be objective as far as the techniques used during the performance observed. Any criticisms
expressed may not have been valid at other performances, and are only made to encourage higher
standards in Amateur Theatre.
It is hoped that the audience’s appreciation of your efforts will have given everyone a lift and
encouraged you to greater achievements in the future and that the observations made by the reviewer
will prove helpful in improving future productions.
I want to start this report by thanking all the FOH staff for their warm
welcome. It can be very arduous dealing with the public but the helpers
here always seem so delighted to welcome me to this unusual venue. And
they were still smiling at the end of the evening! Well done.
I’ve seen this musical before and have not warmed to it’s charms as I
believe it does not have a strong script and only a few memorable songs.
So I was apprehensive about the evening - even when I knew that it
would receive the DMT treatment! The packed house looked out to a
darkened stage with a crematory setting. Tombstones and iron railings.
Once the music began and the stage filled with ghostly bodies having
risen from the depths we were off on our journey.
Let’s start with the scenery. I learnt later that it was not exactly what was
hired but I loved the faded grandeur that seemed to fit the Addams
household. Most of the other scenes had single pieces of furniture and/or
torture racks on mobile floats which were pushed and dragged across the
stage as though on ice. This enabled the stage crew to be their usual
smooth selves. But this leads us on to discuss the music as the two
medias are interwoven at scene changes. I missed the live music. For the
first time a recorded soundtrack was used. This enabled the cast to have
a more “fuller” sound being backed by a large orchestra. The problems
arose at scene change where the music clip was not long enough for the
scene changes. The stage crew could not have been quicker in my view.

NODA, 15 The Metro Centre, Peterborough, PE2 7UH
Registered CIO 1171216, Registered Company 241572. Patrons – Lord Lloyd Webber and Connie Fisher
noda.org.uk facebook.com/nodanational instagram.com/nodapics
What I think should have happened was that the crew in some scenes
could have commence changes earlier or cast members should have
entered earlier. For example when when Gomez and Lucas were sword
fighting they could have easily moved centre stage earlier and kept the
audience involved. This sounds like “fine tuning”, which it is, and this
mention, although annoying to the audience, is only a slight flaw in an
otherwise seamless direction and a job well done Lyn! Because the cast
could use the pre-recorded music for rehearsals the phasing of the lyrics
was excellent and diction great. For the first time I managed to hear the
songs clearly. The lighting was good and moved well with subtle pockets
of light when needed. I really like Fester’s song to the Moon and there
was a slight flaw during the song. When the Ancestors joined him to
dance on stage the moon cutout was superbly lit –really incandescent -
only to disappear when Fester rose into the sky to sing to a flat looking
moon. Maybe just a “my night” clinch.
There were lots of great props around the show, although no faded red
rose! Grandma’s loaded “drugs” trolley, Fester’s spider, or was it a wig,
and the knitted dead bird to name a few. Really great to see props
provided and well used. All the Ancestors had plenty of costume additions
and props which helped to show their history. I liked the fact that these
props helped to break up the whiteness of the Ancestors. These choristers
were so good that everyone of them was acting their socks off as far as I
could see and proving what good support they were to the main cast.
Sometimes you see a show where the cast appear to be enjoying the play
as much as the audience….. To my eyes the cast appeared to be very
well match to their roles and very strong in speech and singing voice.
Gary playing Gomez. Well done. Heard every word and felt your concerns.
The best I’ve seen this played.
Morticia. Excellent role played by Dolly. You made this role your own.
Pugsley brought to life by Georgia. Difficult part to play but handled with
care.
Lucas so well played by Oscar. Only one part for a heart throb and it was
you - without doubt.
Grandma beautifully played by Debby. And could you dance!
Lurch. Really enjoyed seeing you make the part your own Cameron!
Alice played by Lucy. What a part for the Chairperson to relish. Well done.
Mal handled well by Simon – loved the change of heart shown in the role.
Grace played Wednesday – great voice and nailed the role. Well done.
Ben Griffths-Mills stole the day playing Fester. You did the role justice.
Terrific.

NODA, 15 The Metro Centre, Peterborough, PE2 7UH
Registered CIO 1171216, Registered Company 241572. Patrons – Lord Lloyd Webber and Connie Fisher
noda.org.uk facebook.com/nodanational instagram.com/nodapics
What a “eureka” moment for me this evening … I actually ended up enjoying

The Addams Family Musical.

All thanks to DMT. Another very good show and worthy of all the hard work by Lyn

and the crew.
Kind regards

Bob Allen. NODA SW district 14 Representative

N.B. The comments above are solely the view of the representative attending and

only reflects the performance seen.

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