Having been away from the stage for a while, it was the iconic QBMTS and their production of The Addams Family that we could not possibly miss. Having only seen this musical via a dress rehearsal a few years ago, it was an opportunity to see what this show had to offer in the hands of one of our favourite companies.

With music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa and a book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, The Addams Family is a musical comedy based on the comic strip characters created by Charles Addams. The musical plot centres itself around Wednesday Addams who falls in love with a young man from a respectable family and begs her father Gomez not to tell her mother, his beloved Morticia. Gomez manages to keep his daughter’s secret until the two families meet for dinner, what on earth could go wrong?

With Direction and Choreography by Zoe Russell and Musical Direction from Chris Handley, the QBMTS production of The Addams Family – The Musical Comedy is a feast for the eyes. The carefully chosen costumes and detailed make-up (Paul Herrington and Amy Pearson) add to the high quality of the production which is bursting at the seams with talent. QBMTS doesn’t just keep it’s talent in the leading roles, the entire cast with their lead dancers steal your attention in this entertaining and vibrant choreography. There are multiple stars shining through this cast without a line of script to be said. It is one of the strongest local theatre ensembles we have watched on stage.

The principle cast enjoyed these roles and you could tell, their energy together as this spooky family transcended to the audience (who were in hysterics around us). Tom Robinson as Gomez Addams was a highlight for me as he captivated the audience whenever he was on stage. If I see this production again in the future, his version of Gomez will be one to beat. His chemistry with the incredibly talented Sarah Coussens as goth-Queen Morticia Addams made for the ultimate spooky power couple. Fester Addams, Carl Cook, was an audience favourite as he gave an endearing, quirky and loveable performance as our favourite moon loving uncle. We were treated to hilarious performances from Jo Tranter, Grandma Addams and James Merris as butler Lurch. Robyn Georgina-Harding was unstoppable as little torture loving Pugsley, a role that she made her own and a performance we absolutely adored. Powerhouse Isabella Cook was cool, calm and collected as the infamous Wednesday Addams, a fan favourite. Isabella’s voice shone in ‘Pulled‘. Lucas Beineke, Alex Brettell, gave a charming performance as Wednesday’s love interest and I enjoyed their stage-time together. Our Beineke family, Hattie Rudge and Jon Ranwell, were the contrast to the darkness of the Addams and were perfectly cast as they turned from ‘normal’ to their true selves.

This show was spookily perfect and it feels like QBMTS are on a mission to prove that they are some of the best local talent around.

DT

Theatretastic 5/5:

We say: “This production is a feast for the eyes! QBMTS have delivered a spookily perfect production!”