The Addams Family Quarantined: A Dramatic Concert Version

It’s been over a year since I have had the pleasure of watching EMS perform at the Duchess and I am very happy to say that this was a very enjoyable way to be re-introduced to this company.  Based on the characters created by Charles Addams, The Addams Family Quarantined: Dramatic Concert Version was adapted for production during the early green shoots of theatre comeback with the re-interpretation of the large dance numbers and the requirement to use backing tracks throughout the production rather than a live band.

Apart from the script making one or two too many references to the changes breaking the fourth wall in the process, which unnecessarily drew attention to them, the actual interpretation the EMS cast pulled off was so close to the full experience that this was definitively more of a full-blown show than a concert.  This is of course, credit to the very talented production team so Chris, Martin and Abbi, you should be suitably proud of what you managed to create.  Vocal performances were strong throughout, the movement was well judged and didn’t strike me as lacking any entertainment value and the characterisations were on point throughout.

Graham Buchanan’s portrayal of head of the household Gomez Addams was the highlight of the performances and he commanded the stage throughout the night.  Kathi Ludlow, as Alice Beineke, has clearly been to the “subtle” school of characterisation, that I also subscribe to, so many thanks for making me snort my diet coke at one point.  Hayley Wood delivered a very convincing Morticia Addams and Francesca Foster delivered a great combination of characterisation and strong vocal delivery as Wednesday with ample support from Lewis Taylor and Gabriel Leshko as Pugsley and Lucas respectively. Gabriel you just have to watch your “hand faffing” as too many gesticulations can be a bit off putting

Joining Kathi in the school of subtle delivery were the very entertaining Richard Dawson as Fester, Maria Lawrence as Grandma, John Fletcher as Lurch, Laura Dawson as Lupe Addams and Martin Briggs as Mal Beineke with the cast being completed by a talented ensemble of Megan, Lauren, Natalie, Emma, Grace, Andrea and Louisa.

The staging of the production was suitably gothic as was the lighting. Sound balance was spot on throughout.  Finally, the costumes were another highlight matching the set in terms of atmosphere and completing the tableaus at various points during the night

Yet another highly enjoyable all-round production, of which the Erewash team should be suitably proud.  Looking forward to Little Shop in 2022.

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