The Addams Family (Kidderminster Operatic & Dramatic Society)
If you somehow managed to stumble into Central Park, New York and find the residence of the spooky Addams Family, your imagination is obviously something special (much to the disappointment of many, they aren't real) but, you don't have to go that far at the moment, just head down to The Rose Theatre in Kidderminster and you'll find them in residence at least for the next few days.
I think it was the great W.C.Fields who said 'never act with children or animals' and I fear he was right as Harrison Bianco steals this performance as young Pugsley Addams, a stage presence that forces the whole cast to raise their game. As for animals, well Josh Dibble could be described as 'a bit of an animal' as the exuberant Uncle Fester, not only does he fall in love with the moon but, he's not averse to an ad-lib or two and abounds with energy, much to the joy of a packed house.
Bringing some cool, calm, collected assurance to the story (with a glint in his eye and a serious singing voice) is Reece Jones as patriarch Gomez Addams although feeling a little 'trapped' between his wife and daughter. Two stellar performances from mother and daughter team, Zoe Darks as Morticia Addams and Olivia Darks as Wednesday Addams, dark by name and bewitchingly so by character portrayal.
Completing this strange, quirky, yet rather endearing family are Claire Rutland as Grandma, probably the character performance of the night (perhaps a good chiropractor may be required though after a week of intense aging) and John Aubrey as old family retainer Lurch, not much to say but, a formidable presence in every way on stilts.
So it might surprise you but, this is a story of love, Wednesday has fallen for All American Kid, Lucas Beineke, although I'm not sure he knows what he's taken on, she's intense (that's one way to describe it) and there is definitely a deliberate edginess to to the performance from Ben Williams as Lucas. Mind you with parents like his, who wouldn't be a bit edgy, domineering father Mal Beineke, played with some incredible facial expression by Matthew Tweedale (his response to what's happening around him is something to behold) and submissive mother Alice Beineke, played by Joanna Tompkins, her change to something much more forceful throughout the performance is outstanding, matched by a stunning vocal.
Add an array of ghostly apparitions from the Addams Family Crypt and this is a production that you really need to see to believe, brought to the stage under the direction of Doug Forrester, musical direction from Chris Passey (only an eight piece band but, sounds like an orchestra) and choreography from Hannah Kearns.
Certainly not 'one normal night' and this company is oh so much 'crazier than you' but, grab yourself a ticket and you'll get that 'full disclosure' you're looking for !
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