Image supplied by The Tivoli Theatre
When you think of The Addams Family, the iconic rhythmic finger clicks of the catchy them tune instantly come to mind.
However, clicks were not the only rhythmic sound being offered as last night’s performance closed to a roar of applause from the audience.
Before the show even begins, you are immediately transported into the Addams world with creative staging and set design, and a full-theatre immersion with quirky ‘shadow- technics’, as I have coined it.
This outstanding adaptation of the family-loved classic by the Junior Aberdeen Youth Music Theatre was witty, emotive and full of the macabre that Addams enthusiasts know and love. Myself now being one of them!
In the prelude, we see The Addams Family ancestors brought to life to help in the forthcoming chaos. It has brilliant use of ironic costumes, as the likes of Amelia Earhart and Marilyn Monroe take to the stage in their droves.
The story follows the family of seven (eight, if you include Thing) as they navigate a normal dinner party with Wednesday’s boyfriend and his parents.
Unbeknownst to Morticia (played by Charlotte Andersen), Wednesday has confided in her father, Gomez, that she is - in fact, engaged.
Pause for dramatic effect.
Gomez (played by Matthew Hughes) promises to keep this a secret from Morticia – something he has never done before – but during ‘The Game’ at dinner, carnage soon ensues…
The performance is gifted with truly incredible characterisation and musicality far beyond the years of those on stage.
I kept having to remind myself that this was the junior performance. I was utterly blown away.
Image supplied by The Tivoli Theatre
Matthew was everything you would expect from Gomez - charming, mischievous, and enthusiastic. Despite being in his teens, he had the ability to portray a father’s emotions towards his daughter so gracefully in his songs.
His unmistakable accent was carried even throughout the musical numbers. I, myself, like to dabble in the occasional impression and accent, and Latino is one I have never been able to master. So, kudos to you there, kid!
Charlotte’s sensational portrayal of Morticia had me on the edge of my seat as she teased poor, infatuated Gomez. Her macabre sense of humour was flawlessly depicted and her loyalty and boundless love for her children captured.
The incorrigible Uncle Fester (played by Nicholas Faber-Johnstone) captured my heart with his love for the moon and comical interludes of serenades. Fester’s lovable, childlike, and enthusiastic personality shown through in Johnstone.
Pulled, sang by Wednesday (played by Erica Crichton) and Pugsley (played by Frankie Black), was a tongue twister at best yet expertly performed, and
Frankie’s What If solo was a sarcastic heart-sting-puller with beautiful timbre.
Lurch (played by Jacob Knight) was the absolute epitome of ‘there are no small parts’. Jacob was outstanding in his portray of this well-known character and was hilariously stoic from beginning to end, with tremendous physical comedy sprinkled in for good measure.
The same can be said for Grandma Addams (played by Ellen Mair) who’s comedic timing was genius! Both offered the in-awe crowd laugh-out-out moments throughout the show.
The whole visiting Beineke family brought another level to the performance. From Wednesday’s boyfriend, Lucas (played by Wiliam Donnelly) - being the ever-doting love interest - to his parents, Mal and Alice (played by Riyansh Kirodian and Charlotte Cheyne respectively) who were your quintessential, bickering old married couple.
To sum up - spectacular solos from the main cast, terrific characterisation, atmospheric, wholesome, charming and deadly brilliant! They even managed to squeeze in a jab at the bus gates…
I cannot recommend The Addams Family enough.
The Addams Family is at The Tivoli Theatre until Saturday, with alternate casts for performances. You can find more information and tickets here.
Review by Kate Kenyon