I feel quite smug being able to say this if the fourth time I have seen The Addams Family musical, given that this is its UK premiere. I managed to catch it on Broadway back in 2010 and have also seen a couple of am-dram productions in London. This new version lives up to all expectations though and is as creepy and cooky as I hoped it would be.
Wednesday Addams is a young woman and has fallen in love with a boy called Lucas. They are going to be married but there is just one obstacle in their way. The two, seemingly different, sets of parents have to meet first. If you know the Addams Family then you will know that acting normal is not something they are good at but when Wednesday begs them to act like a regular american family, they do their best but with disasterous and hilarious concequences. All they have to get through is one dinner together, which is surely possible. Until Morticia mentions playing ‘the game’ that is! Can these two families get along for the sake of their children? Or will they perhaps realise they have more in common than they think?
The cast for this tour is brilliant. Actor/Singer/Vlogger/Author Carrie Hope Fletcher plays the iconic Wednesday Addams to perfection and is more than a triple threat. There seems to be nothing she is unable to do in this world and is a joy to watch. Samantha Womack (as Morticia) is surprisingly good as Wednesday’s mother. I saw Sam in panto last year and she was great but she surprised me yet again with her dark and sultry portrayal of Morticia. Truly brilliant. Cameron Blakely feels like he was born to play Gomez Addams and couldn’t have been better cast as the man who is pulled apart by his love for his wife and his daughter. Grant McIntyre and Valda Aviks (Pugsley and Grandma) both get moments to shine in this show and it is just a shame that we don’t see more from them as they excel in the moments they are given. Les Dennis does a good job as Uncle Fester, the man who falls in love with the moon.
There are a handful of great, stand out songs with music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa. Opening the show with the upbeat When You’re An Addams, Wednesday’s Pulled and the climax of act one, Full Disclosure. Crazier Than You really brightens up act two and is one of the most memorable tunes you walk away with in your head.
For a touring production, the set design and costumes are of top quality and the show could easily slot in to the West End for a short run and with this killer cast, it would be a shame not to see it go further than its UK Tour.
Reviewed by West End Wilma
Photo: Matt Martin
