Spooky season is well and truly upon us, and with that an array of creepy activities for all the family. Whether you are a lover or a hater of Halloween, most of us have seen or heard of the Addams Family in some capacity. You may have started watching the TV series in the 60s, been thrilled by the films in the 90s, or become a more recent fan by watching the animated series in 2019. Whatever your Addams Family ‘poison’ is, there is no doubt in my mind that you will not be disappointed by taking a trip to the Bournemouth Pavillion to see The Addams Family Musical this weekend.
BBLOC are a force to be reckoned with on the local theatre scene and every production that they tackle produces a seamless and enjoyable performance for both audience, crew, musician and performer. The Addams Family is no different. From the moment the band, led by Ian Peters, struck their first chord the theatre was electrified. Ian’s skill created a fantastic sound from both orchestra and cast which blended perfectly. Everything in this production screamed professional, from the amazing sets, props, choreography to, of course, the cast.
Matt Stockham absolutely blew the audience away in the role of Gomez Addams, his comic timing and emotional versatility made for a truly memorable performance. An excellent Gomez would not be complete without an equally excellent Morticia Addams, and Kirstie Rodgers more than rose to the occasion. She brought to life the sexiness and dark humour which is to be expected of Morticia, and delivered us a strong character that the audience completely got behind. The two of them together were mesmerizing, and their tango was simply thrilling.
Sean Hardy brought Uncle Fester to life with a sweet, spooky and narrative version of the popular family member. I particularly enjoyed ‘The Moon And Me’, a beautiful song which was delivered by Fester and the Addams Family ancestors.
In the pivotal role of Wednesday Addams, Sophie May Adnett, for want of a better term, absolutely smashed it. Her portrayal of Wednesday was fun to watch and everything you would expect from the iconic role, whilst also delivering a softer side when with her love interest Lucas Beineke, played by Matthew Traher. These two were another great pairing and thoroughly enjoyable to watch.
We love a bit of light and shade in theatre, and there are no characters so different to that of the Addams family clan than the Beineke family. Sally Wheeler played the role of the sweet, rhyme- delivering Alice Beineke, balancing her kind soft side, and a darker, rather more risqué side later in the show. Her song, ‘Waiting’, was an absolute treat to watch and very funny. In the role of her husband, Mal, Ian Metcalfe delivered a business hungry, emotionally stunted man very well.
Pugsley Addams, played by Alfie Fitzpatrick, absolutely stunned the audience with his vocal capability in ‘What If’. What a powerful voice! Clear as a bell and gorgeous to listen to.
The Addams family line up wouldn’t be complete without Lurch and Grandma, and both Peter Gutteridge and Jo Uzzell delivered their respective parts perfectly. With very little words from Lurch, and perhaps a few too many words at times from Grandma! What fun they both were to watch.
It would be remiss of me to not mention the hard work, professionalism and polished performances of the Addams Family ancestors who brought the show up to a much higher level. Every one of them was fully engaged, and not a foot wrong.
All of this was possible under the direction of Helen Barrington. What a job she must have had, but it has really paid off. The production was slick, fun, thrilling and a real treat to watch.
I cannot recommend this production enough. Get yourself down to Bournemouth this weekend, or Monday. With matinee and evening performances over the next two-days, and a final show on Monday (Halloween), you don’t have long to grab those tickets. Trust me, you won’t regret it.
Chelsea BallIt takes something very special to persuade me to go out after dark these days, but an invitation from a company whose reputation has never wavered during the 68 years of its existence was something akin to a royal command, so…
The Addams Family has been a musical since 2007, and in existence in some form or other since 1938, so it would be surprising of anyone had not heard of this oddball family – and indeed, it seemed to me at Friday’s opening night performance that it is almost a cult piece of theatre in the manner of The Rocky Horror Show, such was the response from the almost-capacity audience.
I could tell you that there are not enough superlatives for to me adequately describe the standard of this production, in which ‘abnormal’ collides with ‘normal’ with alarmingly unimaginable effects, but if you’re a regular follower of BBLOC you already know that they are satisfied with nothing less than their best – and boy, does it show. From the excellent set - hired in for the occasion and normally in service on the professional touring circuit – to the superb orchestra under the direction of Ian Peters and a cast that is absolutely second to none, it absolutely could not have been better.
I must give a particularly huge shout-out to those responsible for make-up, hair, wigs and costumes, because even by the end of the evening I still could not pick out from the ‘ancestors’ certain people who I knew to be taking part, so amazing were their disguises.
Principal-wise, there are outstanding performances all round, not least from Matt Stockham and Kirstie Rogers as heads of the family Gomez and Morticia. They couldn’t be more perfect if they tried, and if you have yet to see the show, watch out for their superb tango. Many years ago I saw Sophie May Adnett play Annie in the show of the same name; she was a joy then and is a joy now as daughter Wednesday Addams, desperate to escape into a more normal world when she meets and falls in love with Lucas Beineke (Matthew Traher), a young man from a respectable family. Well, I say ‘respectable’, but after a ‘truth game’ in which his mother Alice’s drink is spiked, I’m not too sure about that. What I am sure of is that both Sally Wheeler (Alice) and Ian Metcalfe (her husband Mal) extract every ounce of comedy from their roles, to great effect.
Completing the family are Pugsley, beautifully played on Friday by Alfie Fitzpatrick (but by Tom Carr at some performances), Sean Lee Hardy as a most lovable Uncle Fester and Jo Uzzell in her element as the slightly disgusting Grandma Addams, while Peter Gutteridge is delightful as the butler, Lurch.
Saving the best till last, the biggest shout-out of the evening must go to Helen Barrington. Credited in the programme as director, she is also responsible for the absolutely amazing choreography, so when not watching such incredible dancing and seeing such outstanding characterisations, one is also listening to the script so beautifully put across – with a few topical references added in for those listening hard!
One thing that particularly amused me was that the light was such that it was possible to see people offstage climbing to and from the doors at the top of the set. Whether this was by accident or design I have no idea, but especially when someone appeared in a large on-stage portrait, only to disappear seconds later, the effect was that of the ancestors coming and going in ghostly fashion, and it worked a treat.
There are further performances this afternoon and tonight, with the same tomorrow, and an evening performance on Monday. If you have some free time, this show comes highly recommended.
Linda Kirkman Bringing the essence and energy of the west end onto a local stage, BBLOC (Bournemouth & Boscombe Light Opera Company) are one of the most professional musical theatre society groups that I’ve ever seen. Each show they produce rivals the west end in their professionalism, performance and altogether showstoppers. They are a true credit to the Bournemouth arts scene and continue to impress me show after show.
This Autumn, their offering is nothing short of spooky and fits perfectly with their Halloween weekend performance schedule; The Addams Family.
The story follows the kookiest, spookiest, family that we all know and love as they head on another wild adventure. But this time the family must face a challenge they have never faced before, Wednesday falling in love, and with a boy that is neither spooky or kooky. As the family unconfidently welcome a new arm to their family, they must face their own inner demons and find their own version of happiness no matter how unexpected it may be.
The show includes a full cast alongside the family, that represent a whole host of spooky ancestors from Addams family past, there is more than the eye can see and take in on stage and one minute you are staring at a ballerina, an Egyptian, and even a viking. The staging looks like it’s come straight from the west-end, giving this a performance that could rival that of the professionals. Each song is a toe-tapping ear worm that will leave you singing them as you drive home. From the classic "When You're An Addams" that introduces you to the whole show, to the hilarity and mayhem of "Full Disclosure" and the sincerity of "Happy Sad". The show has the perfect blend of modern musical theatre with a quirky twist that gives this show the wow factor brought together by a full band with musical direction by Ian Peters.
Kirstie Rogers is the perfect Morticia, with her sultry demeanour and dark, twisted humour that makes her the powerful matriarch of the family. Her chemistry with Matt Stockham who plays Gomez means they are the perfect power couple of stage, with his devotion to both his wife and daughter being the pinnacle of his potential downfall. Their tango was utterly fantastic, whilst Matt's humour and comedic timing sprinkled throughout the show was brilliant. Both were not only the heart of the family, but also the heart of the show.
Wednesday is the feisty adolescent we know and love. Torn between wanting to please her family and follow her heart, we see a softer side to her on stage that we've never seen before. Sophie May Adnett wowwed the audience with her rendition of "Pulled", whilst her duet with her love interest Lucas Beineke; played by Matthew Traher; showed emotion and action as they put their true love to the test. He helped show Wednesday’s vulnerability whilst still giving a brilliant performance.
Lucas' parents are played by Ian Metcalf and Sally Wheeler. Both Mal and Alice feel nervous as they enter the Addams home, with Mal struggling to support his son and Alice breaking into sickly sweet rhymes that wouldn't be amiss on birthday cards. Their transformations through the show almost leave you thinking that these actors are playing two completed different roles by the end, it's absolutely brilliant.
Fester played by Sean Lee Hardy brings the unexpected humour and narration to the story. With hilarious quips and an unexpected love of his own, you can’t help but love his innocence. Lurch played by Peter Gutteridge is a man of few words, but his performance is unforgettable, I wouldn't want to spoil it, but it's one to watch. Pugsley is played by two young actors across the run, and in this show was performed by Alfie Fitzpatrick. His performance of "What If" brought the house down and there is a bright future ahead of him in the world of stage and screen. Rounding off the family is Grandma played by Jo Uzzell, the most lewdest, crudest grandma you will ever meet, that will have the whole family in stitches and disgusted at the same time. You don't know if you should love her or be terrified of her!
Every performer on stage from the youngest to the oldest is a credit to BBLOC. Each show they are brought together with the direction of Helen Barrington, who seeks for nothing less than perfection from each performer, and it shows. With professionalism shining from every person on stage, you forget that this isn't a professional touring cast and it goes to show the wealth of talent that the local Bournemouth community has.
The Addams Family is show like no other. You must leave your morals and inhibitions at the door as death is just around the corner. Filled with dark humour, romance, compassion and a bit of torture, you will find something for the whole family to love. It's a feel good show that has a coffin full of laughs yet still brings the essence and misery that we know and love from this altogether dysfunctional family. Full disclosure BBLOC, you've done it again!
The Addams Family is showing from 28th-31st October at the Bournemouth Pavilion Theatre, with performances running twice a day on the 29th and 30th. For more information and to snap up the last few remaining tickets lick on the following link: The Addams Family - BBLOC
Laura Reads 
