The Addams Family

The Addams Family

By Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice. Rosny College. Darren Sangwell (Director), Andrew Castles (Musical Director), Kristy Baker (choreography), Nicole Ottrey (costumes), Suze Quinn (vocal director), Chris Oakley (designer) and Aron Webb (lighting). 16-25 May 2019

The Addams Family may not be “normal” but they do embody family values. And this has been brought to the stage by the wider family which is the Rosny College community. The excellent costumes and make up, the highly competent and versatile band, the design, direction and choreography, all underpin the wonderful stage performances.

The leads are double cast. This patron had the privilege of seeing Paul Dellas as Gomez Addams. His comic timing, physical and vocal characterisation, were the strengths of his performance.  From “When you’re an Addams” right through to the “Tango de Amor”, Dellas was in control.  Ellowen Killion-Bradley gave a mature and warm interpretation of Morticia. “Death is just around the corner” was a highlight of her performance.

Uncle Fester drives the narrative to a large degree, manipulating the love story. Jacob Golding’s energetic performance was consistently characterised, a feature which was maintained in vocal numbers.

Sophie Williams was well suited to the role Wednesday Addams. This young performer was an ideal choice for this role having previously been honoured with a Tasmanian Theatre award for her role in Ruthless.  Her vocal strength and agility was impressive.  Numbers such as “Pulled” and “Crazier than you”were upbeat numbers expressing the conflict of inhabiting two different worlds.

Other notable performances were given by Bryce Tollard-Williams as Pugsley, Will Norris as Lurch and Alexander Tye as Lucas Beineke. Fay Burke’s lovely voice suited her role as Alice Beineke.

The set was simple and adaptable with rotating components which were manipulated fluidly, often by members of the cast. Puppetry was also used to good effect.  

The choreography was effective, enabling skilled dancers to be featured, and allowing for the individuality of the ensemble of Addams “ancestors”. Costumed in shades of white and cream, with the ghostly pallor of the undead, many bore evidence of their demise about their person.

But this show does not celebrate the ghoulish and macabre. It celebrates love, loyalty, fun and forgiveness and reminds the audience that different is not bad and normal is overrated.

Anne Blythe-Cooper