The Addams Family

The Addams Family
Music and Lyrics by Andrew Lippa. Book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice. Directed by Ryan Taafe. Mandurah Performing Arts Centre (W.A.). Jan 19 -22, 2017

Mandurah Performing Arts Centre’s production of The Addams Family is a big, lavish production with a professional polish and big budget feel.

This feels like a big touring production, Set and Lighting Designer Stephen Carr, establishes the world of the Addams Family even before the first song and we know we’re in for a treat. Hilary Readings’ costumes are also impressive. Cleverly directed by Ryan Taafe, this show pays on its promise.

Chris Gerrish and Dixie Johnstone are outstanding as Gomez and Morticia Addams. They have a wonderful chemistry and embody these iconic characters with precision and finesse.

A particularly impressive community theatre debut from Taao Buchanan – singing beautifully and giving depth to teenaged Wednesday whose romance sets events in motion. Daniel Pais made an admirable debut as Pugsley, with a cheeky charm. Picture perfect, polished performances, that the audience adored from Jesse Watts as Fester and Peter ‘Pear’ Carr as Lurch, while Pam Ogborne was a feisty, likeable Grandma.

Love interest Lucas, was played with charm by Matthew Manning, looking gorgeously boy-next-door.  His uptight parents Mal and Alice were brought to life in fine performances by Geoffrey Leeder and Renee Bickford.

A sixteen-member ensemble of Addams Ancestors were kept busy throughout. They were highly focused and worked well as a team. 

Choreography, by Hilary Readings, was tight and well-performed, the highlight being Gomez and Morticia’s 'Tango de Amor'.

The Addams Family Orchestra was led by Musical Director Jo Bennett. Tight and precise, this 11 piece band was key to the success of the show, which was vocally and musically strong throughout. Sound was well balanced, although on opening night, the in-house operator was a little tardy with some cues – perils of a short in-house prep-time (although other areas appear unscathed).

This is a lovely gift of a show. A pleasure to watch and a lot of fun.

Kimberley Shaw

 

 

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