Writing this review, I am happily singing along to just one of the catchy ditties that entertained us at the Hull New Theatre on Tuesday evening, courtesy of The Addams Family’s musical comedy.
“Death is just around the corner”, sung by the family matriarch, Morticia (Joanne Clifton of Strictly Come Dancing and The Rocky Horror Show fame), though morbid in content, was sung in such a joyful way, I’ll be humming it for days.
From the start, the amazing stage setting held its own with the equally amazing cast, being suitably spooky, with smoke and lightning strikes both adding to the atmosphere. Aided and abetted by wonderful live music emanating from the orchestra pit, we knew we were in for a treat.
And as the familiar finger clicks by “The Thing” started proceedings, it was ghoulish fun and games for the next two-and-three-quarter hours.
The Addams are facing a dilemma. Their daughter, crossbow-wielding Wednesday (Kingsley Morton) has fallen in love with the “normal” Lucas Beineke (Ahmed Hamad).
Wednesday begs her dad, Gomez (Cameron Blakely – the undeniable star of the show), to keep her marriage plans a secret from Morticia. He does, but with serious consequences for his own marriage.
Wednesday persuades her parents to invite Lucas and his parents, Mal (Sean Kingsley) and Alice (Kara Lane), to dinner at their creepy mansion, intending to break her wedding news during what she hopes is “one normal night”.
Awaiting their arrival are the family’s butler, Lurch (a seemingly 10ft-tall Ryan Bennett), Grandma (Carol Ball), Uncle Fester (my favourite character, played by Matt Slack) and Wednesday’s younger brother, Pugsley (Grant McIntyre). Oh, and eight of their dead ancestors.
Wednesday divests herself of her usual black attire and weapon, donning a bright yellow dress for the dinner, much to her family’s horror.
Young Pugsley fears he will miss his sister torturing him if she marries and moves away, so gets Grandma to prepare a potion for Wednesday to drink at the dinner table, in the hope her subsequent behaviour will put Lucas off marrying her.
But it’s Lucas’s mum, Alice, who quaffs the drink, culminating in a hilarious scene in which she reveals how she really feels about her husband and her life.
All’s well that ends well in this love story with a difference, but there is pain, poignancy, heartache and surprises at every turn.
In a production overflowing with wonderful songs – Full Disclosure, When You’re an Addams, The Moon and Me, Trapped and the aforementioned Just Around the Corner to mention but a few – all sung by a cast who, without exception, had the most wonderful singing voices, there wasn’t a dull moment.
Admittedly, Lurch didn’t sing much, but his deep growls were just as catchy and his extremely slow movements curbed the hectic pace, giving everyone a much-needed breather.
Dressed in costumes to die for, this super-talented cast sang, danced and acted their hearts out. Dead good, every one of ‘em!
Running until Saturday, March 19th, 2022, 7.30pm nightly with 2.30pm matinees on Thursday, 17th and Saturday, 19th. Tickets from £18; call (01482) 300306 or visit www.hulltheatres.co.uk
Reviewer: Jackie Foottit
Reviewed: 15th March 2022
North West End UK Rating: ★★★★