The Addams Family (UK Tour) – Review

The Addams Family (UK Tour): Churchill Theatre, Bromley

1st March 2022

★★★★

Everyone’s favourite kooky family are touring the UK in this spooky musical comedy. Featuring music and lyrics by TONY AWARD nominated Andrew Lippa, The Addams Family focuses on a grown up Wednesday Addams as she falls in love with a sweet young man from a respectable family. As the two families meet for dinner what could go wrong? Featuring all the favourite characters from Lurch to Uncle Fester The Addams Family is a hilarious tale of love, family and friendship… with a twist!

Scott Paige steals the show as Uncle Fester. His vocals are excellent but it is his comic timing and ability to add his own personality into the character that makes him stand out. Cameron Blakely, who reprises his role as Gomez, is exceptional and has the audience hanging off his every word. He is a true actor and every word is performed in true Gomez fashion full of drama and passion. Kingsley Morton’s vocals as Wednesday are very good however the relationship between Wednesday and Lucas (Ahmed Hamad) falls a bit flat. Another crowd pleaser is Ryan Bennett as Lurch whose walking alone earns him rapturous applause. Joanne Clifton as Morticia is also very good and she manages to put her dancing skills to great use in the second act. The ensemble remain in character throughout and the choreography, by Alistair David, is performed effortlessly.

The set, designed by Diego Pitarch, is especially good. Audiences are transported to the Addams House with the clever set and prop pieces. The use of different levels adds another element to the stage as well as the ‘haunted’ portraits. The set pieces are large yet detailed and the transitions are smooth. Lighting by Ben Cracknell works effectively to add drama to the scenes and there are some clever use of colour in some of Gomez’s scenes. In addition the lighting works particularly well with the sound effects, designed by Richard Brooker, to create the spooky effects such as thunder and lightning and the occasional haunting screams.

The Addams Family takes the classic cult hit and adds another element to it. It is still full of well-known characters but it adds even more to the family with their ancestors and the new Beineke family. It is funny and has many laugh out loud moments in addition to a varied score and cleverly constructed sets. At times, the plot does move slowly and, as always with the Addams Family, not everything is as you’d expect but it is definitely one to catch for any fans of this kooky family or anyone wanting to see something lighthearted and different.

The Addams Family is running at the Churchill Theatre until Saturday 5th March, for tickets click here. For more information about the tour and other venues click here.

Photo Credit: Pamela Raith