REVIEW
of
LITTLE THEATRE COMPANY'S
THE ADDAMS FAMILY - MUSICAL
Palace Theatre, Southend-on-Sea
WEDNESDAY 3 - SATURDAY 6 NOVEMBER 2021
of
LITTLE THEATRE COMPANY'S
THE ADDAMS FAMILY - MUSICAL
Palace Theatre, Southend-on-Sea
WEDNESDAY 3 - SATURDAY 6 NOVEMBER 2021
As if things aren’t awkward enough when you want to introduce your boyfriend to your family; but when your family is the Addams family, well then there’s a whole lot of added problems to overcome.
The Addams Family are the goulishly macabre clan, who live in a large spooky mansion in the middle of New York’s Central Park along with their dead ancestors who are occasionally let out of the family vault. The story behind the show is one that will resonate with most families and especially dads with daughters. Wednesday Addams has met and fallen in love with a ‘normal’ guy, student Lucas Beinicke, and she wants to introduce him and his family to her somewhat unorthodox family. She tells her dad, Gomez, that she and Lucas have actually already become engaged and asks him to do something that he has never had to do before - keep it a secret from his all-knowing wife, Morticia. Easier said than done for Gomez, as we later find out.
With a dinner party arranged for the families to be introduced and knowing how embarrassing parents can be, they are respectively instructed by Wednesday and Lucas to try and be ‘normal’ when they meet - something that inevitably and hilariously proves to be rather a struggle.
There’s an exciting build up to the introduction of the family on Little Theatre Company’s opening night. Colourful lighting effects float and whizz around the stage whilst the music to the original Addams Family finger clicking signature tune is played. Our eyes are then drawn towards centre stage and the iconic pose of the 'family' and are subsequently introduced to the whole clan with the When You’re An Addams number.
As if emerging out of the well known tv cartoon characters and into real life flesh and bone, Ian Benson and Gemma Cararacher immediately give all round authenticity to the characters of Gomez and Morticia. Their relationship is the heart that keeps the harmony of this creepy, kooky family beating with its often risqué references to rather unconventional, yet endearing, ways of keeping their marriage alive.
Ian Benson looks extremely at ease in the role of latin lothario, Gomez, and eeks out every comedic moment. He even did a marvellous job of ad libbing at one point in the show which in itself earned him a well deserved round of applause but hopefully won’t be called upon for the rest of the run.
Gemma Carracher looks every inch the beautifully entrancing, Morticia as she glides across the stage and I really enjoyed her routine in the Just Around the Corner number accompanied by the Ancestors.
The role of Wednesday is a pretty big ask with some intense dialogue and a couple of big belter numbers, not least with Pulled however, Becca Pooley does a lovely job here.
Charlie Cater also does some great work in his role of jealous brother, Pugsley, who really doesn’t want to lose his sister to Lucas. I loved the scene where he is enjoying being tortuously stretched by Wednesday. He also does a smashing job of showing off some lovely confident vocals in his number, Honor Roll.
The Beineke’s are played by Chris Higginson, Jamie Redgate and Ami Roberts as Lucas, Mal and Alice and all play their parts brilliantly. Ami as Alice is just delightful in Full Disclosure at the end of Act 2, when she inadvertently sips the potion that Pugsley has tampered with; a potion which his crazy grandma (Kate Andrews) had hilariously told him would turn ‘Mary Poppins into Medea’. Ami is a revelation, really giving it her all and the whole ensemble also do a great job in this number.
The role of Uncle Fester was never going to be anyone else’s but Bradley Green’s and he is clearly enjoying this role immensely. The Moon and Me is such a lovely melodic song and the movement in this number is rather ingenious.
Show stealer award has to go to John Bearman as Lurch who gets a ton of laughs in his understated performance and then, blow me, he comes in at the end of the show with a bit of singing, much to the audience's delight.
The ensemble create their own individual roles as the Ancestors and costumes look amazingly professional all round.
Scenery works well and looks good with scene changes cleverly turned around at each swish of a cobwebbed curtain. This looks like a show that demands an efficient backstage team and Stage Manager, John Blatchford, clearly has his hands full organising all of this. Sound and lighting is very well done and effective given the technical wizardry of Glenn Oxenbury and Mark Smith combined.
The musical baton is wonderfully wielded by Alex Wood who is completely hidden in the pit under the stage with the rest of the 10 piece band.
If there’s one thing that Little Theatre Company excel at, it is the ability to put on a spectacular production and they haven’t disappointed with this, their first show back at the Palace Theatre for over 18 months. Director, Tim Cater has done a great job putting this show together, despite the setbacks of Covid restrictions and isolation issues and it really is fantastic to see the Company wowing and delighting audiences once again.
The production runs until the end of the week with a matinee performance on Saturday. See below for details of how you can get tickets.
The Addams Family are the goulishly macabre clan, who live in a large spooky mansion in the middle of New York’s Central Park along with their dead ancestors who are occasionally let out of the family vault. The story behind the show is one that will resonate with most families and especially dads with daughters. Wednesday Addams has met and fallen in love with a ‘normal’ guy, student Lucas Beinicke, and she wants to introduce him and his family to her somewhat unorthodox family. She tells her dad, Gomez, that she and Lucas have actually already become engaged and asks him to do something that he has never had to do before - keep it a secret from his all-knowing wife, Morticia. Easier said than done for Gomez, as we later find out.
With a dinner party arranged for the families to be introduced and knowing how embarrassing parents can be, they are respectively instructed by Wednesday and Lucas to try and be ‘normal’ when they meet - something that inevitably and hilariously proves to be rather a struggle.
There’s an exciting build up to the introduction of the family on Little Theatre Company’s opening night. Colourful lighting effects float and whizz around the stage whilst the music to the original Addams Family finger clicking signature tune is played. Our eyes are then drawn towards centre stage and the iconic pose of the 'family' and are subsequently introduced to the whole clan with the When You’re An Addams number.
As if emerging out of the well known tv cartoon characters and into real life flesh and bone, Ian Benson and Gemma Cararacher immediately give all round authenticity to the characters of Gomez and Morticia. Their relationship is the heart that keeps the harmony of this creepy, kooky family beating with its often risqué references to rather unconventional, yet endearing, ways of keeping their marriage alive.
Ian Benson looks extremely at ease in the role of latin lothario, Gomez, and eeks out every comedic moment. He even did a marvellous job of ad libbing at one point in the show which in itself earned him a well deserved round of applause but hopefully won’t be called upon for the rest of the run.
Gemma Carracher looks every inch the beautifully entrancing, Morticia as she glides across the stage and I really enjoyed her routine in the Just Around the Corner number accompanied by the Ancestors.
The role of Wednesday is a pretty big ask with some intense dialogue and a couple of big belter numbers, not least with Pulled however, Becca Pooley does a lovely job here.
Charlie Cater also does some great work in his role of jealous brother, Pugsley, who really doesn’t want to lose his sister to Lucas. I loved the scene where he is enjoying being tortuously stretched by Wednesday. He also does a smashing job of showing off some lovely confident vocals in his number, Honor Roll.
The Beineke’s are played by Chris Higginson, Jamie Redgate and Ami Roberts as Lucas, Mal and Alice and all play their parts brilliantly. Ami as Alice is just delightful in Full Disclosure at the end of Act 2, when she inadvertently sips the potion that Pugsley has tampered with; a potion which his crazy grandma (Kate Andrews) had hilariously told him would turn ‘Mary Poppins into Medea’. Ami is a revelation, really giving it her all and the whole ensemble also do a great job in this number.
The role of Uncle Fester was never going to be anyone else’s but Bradley Green’s and he is clearly enjoying this role immensely. The Moon and Me is such a lovely melodic song and the movement in this number is rather ingenious.
Show stealer award has to go to John Bearman as Lurch who gets a ton of laughs in his understated performance and then, blow me, he comes in at the end of the show with a bit of singing, much to the audience's delight.
The ensemble create their own individual roles as the Ancestors and costumes look amazingly professional all round.
Scenery works well and looks good with scene changes cleverly turned around at each swish of a cobwebbed curtain. This looks like a show that demands an efficient backstage team and Stage Manager, John Blatchford, clearly has his hands full organising all of this. Sound and lighting is very well done and effective given the technical wizardry of Glenn Oxenbury and Mark Smith combined.
The musical baton is wonderfully wielded by Alex Wood who is completely hidden in the pit under the stage with the rest of the 10 piece band.
If there’s one thing that Little Theatre Company excel at, it is the ability to put on a spectacular production and they haven’t disappointed with this, their first show back at the Palace Theatre for over 18 months. Director, Tim Cater has done a great job putting this show together, despite the setbacks of Covid restrictions and isolation issues and it really is fantastic to see the Company wowing and delighting audiences once again.
The production runs until the end of the week with a matinee performance on Saturday. See below for details of how you can get tickets.
DA DA DA DUM, SNAP SNAP!
Everyone’s favourite kooky family is heading to Southend in this spooky spectacular musical comedy, from the writers of multi award-winning hit musical “Jersey Boys”, with music and lyrics by Tony Award nominated Andrew Lippa.
Wednesday Addams is all grown up and has a shocking secret which only Gomez knows - she’s fallen in love with a “normal” young man from a respectable family!
With his cherished Morticia in the dark, Gomez manages to keep his daughter’s secret until the two families meet for a fateful dinner, with hilarious consequences.
Come meet the family – we’ll leave the lights off for you!
Evenings £21.00, £20.00
Matinees £18.00, £17.00
Prices shown are inclusive of any applicable booking fees. Groups of 10+ please call 0343 310 0030 to buy fee-free.
Click to book online: www.southendtheatres.org.uk/Online/tickets-the-addams-family-ltc-southend-2021
Everyone’s favourite kooky family is heading to Southend in this spooky spectacular musical comedy, from the writers of multi award-winning hit musical “Jersey Boys”, with music and lyrics by Tony Award nominated Andrew Lippa.
Wednesday Addams is all grown up and has a shocking secret which only Gomez knows - she’s fallen in love with a “normal” young man from a respectable family!
With his cherished Morticia in the dark, Gomez manages to keep his daughter’s secret until the two families meet for a fateful dinner, with hilarious consequences.
Come meet the family – we’ll leave the lights off for you!
Evenings £21.00, £20.00
Matinees £18.00, £17.00
Prices shown are inclusive of any applicable booking fees. Groups of 10+ please call 0343 310 0030 to buy fee-free.
Click to book online: www.southendtheatres.org.uk/Online/tickets-the-addams-family-ltc-southend-2021