The Addams Family Musical At Bradford Alhambra Review

Reviewed by Kat Harrison

Da, da, da, duh,
Click, click,
Da, da, da, duh,
Click, click…
This week, six year old F***** (editor’s note – name removed) and I headed to Bradford’s impressive Alhambra Theatre to catch The Addams Family on their UK Tour.

As famous, fictional families go, with a popular TV show, successful series of films and cartoons to their name, it was only a matter of time before the kooky, creepy crew popped up on stage.

Dubbed a ‘Musical Comedy’, I was expecting a little more humour and a lot more action. Both myself and my daughter enjoyed the production but we weren’t blown away. There’s plenty of positives but there’s also quite a few ‘buts’.

The storyline is surprisingly simple yet sweet, but perhaps missing a sub-plot or two. An older than anticipated Wednesday Addams, has fallen in love with a ‘normal’ boy and the musical tells the tale of two sets of parents meeting at an Addams Family’ dinner party. And that’s about it.

The musical transports us to The Addams Family’ creepy mansion where the two sets of future in-laws get together for the first time. The house’s twin balconies, high above the main stage add a clever dimension to the action.

The Addams Family theme tune is instantly recognisable and I’ve been humming it for days. The toe-tapping, finger-clicking style repeats itself in opening number ‘When You’re an Addams’ ensuring a lively and engaging start. ‘Trapped’ and ‘Full Disclosure’ are two more memorable songs that make full use of the live orchestra. Act I, before the interval, in comparison to Act 2 afterwards, was for me, definitely more exciting and enjoyable. Whilst clearly showcasing a realm of theatrical talent, the second half was swamped by less catchy songs and lacked in dialogue.

Joanne Clifton (the Strictly Come Dancing professional) plays Morticia and I just couldn’t warm to her (but taking into consideration the cold character she plays, maybe that’s the point – Morticia’s seeming lack of emotion was perhaps just the character perfectly portrayed!) On hearing Joanne was in the show, I reasoned I’d be wowed with dancing. Aside from Morticia and Gomez’s Tango (which scores a mediocre ‘seven’ from me), Joanne just didn’t get the opportunity to divulge. Back to the Tango: I didn’t feel the passion but I did feel Joanne had so much more to give. Perhaps, I should instead be praising her sensationally, sultry, hip-swaying steps; her Morticia was suitably and superbly sultry yet solemn.

Gomez, played by Cameron Blakely was the overall, stand-out cast member for me. His vocals and comic timing really engage the audience and you immediately feel yourself empathising with this father. It was Blakely’s convincing performances that kept my interest and held the show together.

The Addams Family Musical is funny. But many of the jokes are aimed at adults (though not in an inappropriate sense). I laughed much more than my daughter, with lots of subtle bedroom humour going over her head. I was expecting more physical comedy, appreciated by what I thought would be a younger target audience. However, there were loads of ‘grown-up’ groups in the audience to which the laughs were perfectly pitched. That’s not to say, kids won’t enjoy the show, they will; it just won’t have the same magical hold over them, as say School of Rock or Bedknobs and Broomsticks.

The musical features some powerful vocals from Kingsley Morton as Wednesday Addams; perhaps a touch too ‘shouty’ for me but what an impressive range! Scott Paige as Uncle Fester has a truly warming voice and his puppy-dog like energy draws you to him. Demonstrating that comedy needn’t always be verbal is Dickon Gough as the family’s giant butler ‘Lurch’. With his equally giant grunts and groans, and slow, heavy, meticulous movements, he appears to have been cast in a non-speaking (yet enthralling) role, but just wait…(and it’s worth it!)

The plot is a little thin but it does have a message in its undercurrent; and it’s one of love. Wednesday loves Lucas, Gomez loves Morticia and well, Uncle Fester loves the moon! There are some rather touching moments, that all family members will relate to.

When I go a musical, I usually love watching the chorus and their choreography, however, I feel the dancers – ‘the family’s dead relatives’ hovering in every scene, added little to the production; the narrative or the aesthetics. I barely registered their presence.

The Addams Family might not have been the musical I’d envisioned but it made me laugh out loud, the songs are good and the cast are talented. So, if you enjoy your theatre, click your fingers and get your tickets to join this otherworldly mob for a musical monster with a heart.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

The Addams Family is at The Bradford Alhambra until 5th February.

To book you can visit The Addams Family | The Alhambra Theatre (bradford-theatres.co.uk)

More information and all the tour dates @ https://www.theaddamsfamily.co.uk