The Addams Family (Quarry Bank Musical Theatre Society)

So I find myself back in Central Park (well Brierley Hill Civic Hall this time actually) and witnessing how this Addams Family cope with that love affair between young Wednesday and Lucas Beineke, because they're creepy, kooky and altogether ooky (is that a real word) it's never going to be easy and the cast from Quarry Bank Musical Theatre Society are particularly ooky, for which you should read 'insanely talented' so this is a production full to the brim with stupendous performances.

Leading from the front are Tom Robinson as Gomez Addams and Sarah Coussens as Morticia Addams, consummately scary, comedic and gifted in equal measure with voices that frankly are obscenely powerful and controlled when required.

Addams offspring are always going to be a bit 'special', I read the reviews as well as write them and I am now provoked to say something about Isabella Cook as Wednesday Addams that hasn't already been said, the superlative thesaurus is almost exhausted but, I will use one I haven't used before, this is a transcendent portrayal of an iconic character, much will be said about the delivery of songs 'Pulled' and 'One Normal Night' however wait for 'Crazier Than You' and hope the venue doesn't quake around you, simply magnificent. That leaves Robyn Georgina Harding as Pugsley Addams with a mountain to climb to be noticed and that is exactly what happens, it is as much about the characterisation and stage presence that reminds the audience there is more than one Addams progeny.

Completing the family are Carl Cook as Fester Addams, a cheeky, slightly mad performance but, what else would you expect from a fat, bald person of indeterminate sexuality, if there isn't pain in the face muscles after all that smiling, I want to know why ! Finally and making another awesome appearance as the more mature character is Jo Tranter as Grandma Addams, let me warn you though, keep your hands of her acremonium as you never know what might happen !

Let me not forget the old family retainer, in the form of butler Lurch, probably one of the best performances in that role I have ever seen by James Merris, large, looming and imposing enough to scare you witless but, with a soft side and a rich bass vocal.

Talking of those with experience of acremonium, even though she doesn't know it, ask Alice Beineke, mother to Lucas and wife to Mal, played with comic genius by Hattie Rudge (her delivery of every line is majestic but, the put-down 'if you want to act like a tool, go and sleep in the shed' is worthy of a Tony in its own right). Mal Beineke an engaging performance from Jon Ranwell has forgotten what its like to be a real husband and father but, if a visit to the Addams household can do anything it can remind you of what you're missing, including the Grateful Dead T-Shirt.

Probably unfair to leave Alex Brettell's performance as Lucas Beineke to this far into the review as it's genuinely superb, a perfect foil to Wednesday with another amazing voice (where do they find them all ?) and he can be impulsive, he just needs to think about it first.

Supported by a glorious ensemble cast portraying various dead Addams relatives and brought to the stage by Zoe Russell (Director/Choreographer) and Chris Handley (Musical Director) this is an unmissable piece of musical theatre, so since the last performance is 'Just Around the Corner', grab yourself a ticket before you are forced into a bit of your own 'Full Disclosure'.

Book Here