Reviewed by Lorna Templeton
Everyone knows the instantly recognisable The Addams Family. The creepy and kooky gang have been delighting TV and film audiences for decades. So, it was with great interest I went along to see how this would translate to a stage musical setting, just in time for Halloween season.
The cast is star-studded, with Samantha Womack as Morticia and Les Dennis (sadly absent due to illness on the press night) as Uncle Fester, as well as a whole host of seasoned musical theatre pros.
The story was cleverly updated, with a grown up Wednesday (Carrie Hope Fletcher showing off top-notch comedy acting and an incredible singing voice) hoping to marry a distinctly “normal” young man, Lucas. A “Meet The Parents” meets “Rocky Horror” story ensues when Lucas’s parents are invited to the Addams house for a dinner party.
The songs are fun if not hugely memorable, and where the show really shines is in the comedy dialogue. Samantha Womack and Cameron Blakely deliver their gags to perfection as Morticia and Gomez, and Blakely is also very believable in his fatherly relationship with Wednesday and his mixed emotions when it comes to letting her grow up. Scott Paige is fabulous and steals the show as Uncle Fester, he certainly deserves to be more than an understudy. Lurch is mostly in the background but makes a very memorable contribution late in the show, a fantastic surprise!
The character of Lucas could be more developed, it’s never really clear why the feisty, independent Wednesday would be so keen to marry him.. But the overall ensemble cast are superb and makes the whole show enormously fun. Even “Thing”, the disembodied hand, manages to make an appearance!
The costumes and set are very polished and are some of the best I’ve seen at the King’s.
A modern take on the Addams clan that still stays true to its spooky roots, the show is a big hit and a really fun night at the theatre.
Rating: 4/5
Tickets cost from £20.90 to £57.90 (plus £2.85 transaction fee).
The Addams Family is at the King’s Theatre in Glasgow from 10-14 October 2017, for more information or to book tickets visit www.atgtickets.com/kings or call the box office on 0844 871 7648.
King’s Theatre, 297 Bath Street, Glasgow, G2 4JN | 0844 871 7648
