The Addams Family

The Addams Family is a well written show, with great characters, great songs, and a great message. It never fails to please. In this Senior Performance Ensemble production by the Musical Theatre Crew, every aspect is perfectly realised.

From the opening bars, the band is secure under the leadership of Andrew Castles. The ensemble is well balanced within itself and with the voices. “When You’re an Addams” establishes the standard which follows.

Assisted by body mics, diction was very clear. Most commendable was Tom Howard (Gomez for one of two alternating casts) who maintained a consistent accent, speaking and singing. Howard is physically adept with a great sense of comic timing. Howard makes you care about Gomez’s dilemma in an assured and energetic performance that delivers gag after gag with impeccable skill.

Harriet Gould is vocally strong and physically right as Morticia. “Death is Just Round the Corner” is a lot of fun. Lachie Brown is another highly capable vocalist and comedian in the role of Uncle Fester. Brown is mature and comfortable in the role. Sophie Cashion is a delight as Wednesday. “Pulled” is a highlight. Cashion is another excellent voice who is up to the challenge of portraying a well-known character to which many expectations are attached. Cashion delivers and exceeds.  Hannah Jackman steals the dinner scene in the challenging role of Alice Beineke. Lily Kay (Pugsley), Jonah Gorman (Lurch) Euan Gullick (Lucas), Tom Wilkinson (Mal) and Lucy Lewincamp (Grandma) are all substantial talents who contribute to the success of the whole.

Costuming is excellent and the detail evident in the ensemble of spooky ancestors is laudable. Helen Cronin was also responsible for props which include a torture chair, potions trolley and various items of puppetry. The magic of these is supported by the lighting and excellent stage management. Look out for Pugsley during the curtain calls.

Mandy Lowrie’s choreography is delightful. The large ensemble is always well positioned, with unique and individualised expression, and the umbrella scene (“The Moon and Me”) brings something new to a well-established device.  

The set is beautiful and functions well in the constraints of a small theatre, adding depth and height to the stage. The upper-level portraits are charming.

Every element of stage craft is given thorough attention in this production of The Addams Family. Set, lighting, choreography, costume, music, and properties all support a cast who more than realise expectations.

Doubtless Joseph Mione, Holly Ward, Sebastian Stagg, Lucy McKenna, Grace O’Halloran, Kiri Patterson, Grace Willis, Heath Bounday, Bess Bignell and Kaiki Massom are equally as good in the alternate cast.  

Anne Blythe-Cooper

Photo Credits: Jessie Barclay