Whitehaven Operatic Society's Addams Family show gets off to great start

Never having previously seen this musical comedy, I was intrigued to see how the American sitcom would be recreated in the form of a musical - and expectations were exceeded.

The simple yet effective scenery provides the perfect setting as the chorus of dead 'Ancestors' introduce us to the family graveyard.

The premise of the story is that Wednesday Addams, impressively portrayed by newcomer Whitney Bell, has fallen in love with 'normal' boy Lucas Beineke, convincingly played by Jack Riley.

The script by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elise is both clever and witty.

There are plenty of jokes, and yet there is a subtlety and charm in the way that love, and family and change are explored with some touching moments.

Wednesday confides in her father, Gomez, performed with suitable panache by the experienced Aron Armstrong, that she wants to marry Lucas.

The problem is that she swears him to secrecy, meaning he must not tell her mother, Morticia.

Both families prepare to meet for the first time with their own take on what will be 'One Normal Night' - a tremendous ensemble piece.

As Gomez tries to find out more about Lucas, Morticia, elegantly portrayed by the talented Laura McCarten, boasts to Alice Beineke, played impressively by Wendy Warden, that she and her husband have no secrets.

Of course, in spite of all the reasons why it should not end happily, Gomez is able to convince Morticia that they must “Live Before We Die”, and their tango spectacularly leads to a “Move Towards the Darkness”.

Special mentions must go to Emma Jarvis who clearly enjoys every minute of her opportunity to be Grandma Addams, and Isaac Walkingshaw, whose Pugsley Addams shows huge potential for his age.

No show can run as smoothly as this without the support of those behind the scenes and great credit should go to Chris Simpson and his crew, ably supported by those cast members responsible for seamless movement of furniture on and off the stage.

The director, James Last wonderfully brought everything together and congratulations must go to musical director Mike Ames and his musicians for playing the tricky score.

Tickets are still available to buy from the Rosehill Theatre website for the show which runs from Tuesday, November 1 to Saturday, November 5 at 7:30pm.

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