“Spooktacular performances abound!”
**** 4 Stars
Gomez, Morticia, Wednesday, Fester, Pugsley, Grandma and Lurch are the Addams Family who remarkably first entered the cultural landscape in 1938 and thanks to the classic 60’s TV series, major motion pictures and finally in 2010 the multi award winning musical adaptation which debuted on Broadway at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre.
With music and Lyrics by Andrew Lippa and book by Marshall Brickman & Rick Elice the musical takes us into the heart of the Addams family especially Gomez, a faultless and stylish performance from Sean Quinn, who is trapped between the confrontation and the love he has for his wife Morticia, A beguiling turn from Chanel Turner-Ross, and his daughter Wednesday, the undoubted star of the show in a magical performance from Lindsay MacLaren.
Its tale about understanding, growing up and the power of love to bring even the kookiest of families together and ultimately the triumph of the human condition to achieve what the heart desires. Thanks to Rickman and Elice fabulously written booked it brought something truly fresh to the genre of musical theatre and now acclaimed local company Edinburgh Music Theatre bring the show to the stage for a week’s run at the church hill theatre in a production in which Spooktacular performances abound!.
Performances from both principals and ensemble are universally excellent, Director Niall King has got under the skin of the script and give it an even quirkier twist adding a few adlibs and comedy quips that bring the show up to date. He also ensures every member of the 40 strong cast have a moment to shine with special mention going to all the leads but especially MacLaren’s “Wednesday” who gives an utterly thrilling performance of the song “Pulled” that has the audience gasping with its execution. Ian McKenna also turns in an inspiring performance as Uncle Fester who acts as the shows narrator but also can lay claim to being the shows true heart. Comedy also comes from Sarah-Louise Donnelly as Alice Beinke who releases her inner vamp to reclaim her youth in a joyous turn and makes each moment on stage count.
The large ensemble plays a range of ancestors from a dead matador to Elvis who appears to be performing live from the crypt so to speak and thanks to Ashleigh Le Cras stunning chorography they bring additional polish and style to a show which sparks with energy.
Production wise it’s mostly a triumph too, with Charlie Johnson-Walker up cycling a set from Falkirk Youth Theatre to great effect and delivers the faded glory of the Addams mansion to the stage which is enhanced by Jacob Henney evocative lighting design. Rhys Tuner’s sound design really brings musical director Rob Stewardson and his nine strong pit band to life and the balance between pit and stage is perfect. However there are far too many missed cues on the cast microphones with an exceptional amount of lines being missed or being inaudible to the audience which is a shame as a show of this quality needs that extra polish to lift it to five stars.
One element that is five stars comes from Lauren McAnna’s exquisite costume design; it really is a work of art on its own and provides the true cherry on the cake for a musical which mixes all the key ingredients to almost pure perfection.
From the moment the curtain rises to that all too familiar clickity click theme tune EMT deliver everything you can ask from a musical the appeals to the whole family, and given how popular a title the show is they also make it their own which is a real achievement.
EMT’s The Addams Family makes for the perfect night of musical theatre fun and you will give yourself a real fright if you don’t grab the few ghostly tickets that remain so what you waiting for! Head for the Addams mansion at the Church Hill theatre now!
EMT Presents: the Addams Family, Church Hill Theatre, Edinburgh, Runs until Saturday 13th April, for tickets and info go to: Edinburgh Music Theatre event tickets from TicketSource.
ScotsGay Arts 