THE ALEXANDRA THEATRE, BIRMINGHAM – UNTIL 22ND JANUARY 2022
REVIEWED BY NADIA DODD
4****
A musical comedy adaptation of the famous gloomy, kooky, dark family Addams. Although there was nothing much too dark about this show. Wonderful scenery of the family home on stage at Birmingham which also featured a live orchestra, this is really an entertaining show.
Ultimately, following a grown up Wednesday Addams (Kingsley Morton) who has fallen in love with a nice ‘normal’ young man from a ‘normal’ family. The plot revolves around Wednesday asking her father, Gomez (Cameron Blakely) to keep a secret for her from her mother, Morticia ( Joanne Clifton) which he has never done before. Gomez is torn between both mother and daughter. Will he spill the secret to his wife and upset his daughter?
The two young lovers arrange for both families to meet. Wednesday’s sweetheart, Lucas (Ahmed Hamad) arrange for his mother, Alice (played by Kara Lane) and father, Mal (played by Sean Kingsley) to visit the Addams family home for a civilised dinner party together. What on earth could go wrong?!
To add to the hilarity of the dinner party and story we have the rest of the family of course introducing themselves. Pugsley of course, Wednesday’s little brother (Grant McIntyre) who adores being tortured by his big sister and suddenly finds himself missing her ghoulish attention now that she is in love……Grandma (Valda Aviks), Uncle Fester (Scott Paige) who could make the audience laugh just with a simple expression on his face or his unique dancing and of course Lurch (Dickon Gough) the family butler, with the loudest footsteps and the slowest of walks – comedy timing from all three of these characters were on point.
A very fast paced show with toe tapping musical numbers, astounding choreography and stunning costumes. Morticia (Joanne Clifton) really came into her own dancing with Gomez, Joanne is a professional dancer and has appeared on BBC1’s Strictly Come Dancing, being crowned a champion in 2016.
This particular performance is brought to you by the writers of multi award winning Jersey Boys, with music and lyrics by the Tony award nominated Andrew Lippa.
The show is full of fun, comedy and laughter for all ages. If you fancy an evening of crossbows, potions, ghosts and a torture chamber then you have the perfect show