The Addams Family have set up shop in the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre! I was delighted when I heard that the U.K. Touring Production of the Addams Family would be coming to Dublin. This family made their way into my heart during the 90s, when director Barry Sonnenfeld produced a version of the Addams that was like no other. The dry-wit, dead pan delivery of their misadventures made for instant classics. In 2010, the Addams made their way to Broadway. With music and lyrics by Tony-award winning Andrew Lippa and the book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, this production is a testament to these dark characters that we have come to know and love.

The musical revolves around Wednesday Addams and her new-found all-American love Lucas Beineike. The couple want to get married, but (for some reason) Wednesday insists on having her parents blessing before they tie the knot. The Addams invite Lucas’ straight-laced father, Mal, and neurotic mother, Alice, over for dinner, and as per Wednesdays request are asked to act normal for just one night. Ultimately, this is a musical about family. It looks at what happens when families evolve and children grow-up, and what that means to an adoring father, protective mother and caring/torture-loving brother. In one of the musicals opening numbers, Gomez wonders ‘what happens when Wednesday becomes Thursday?’.

Check out our kooky clan in action in this spectacular musical comedy now on tour across the UK! Book tickets at https://t.co/Nny5IzxAgA. pic.twitter.com/vgMFJxNo1F

— The Addams Family (@AddamsFamilyUK) May 26, 2017

With spectacular set-pieces, stunning gothic costume design and catchy musical numbers, this show is lots of fun from start to finish. The cast is made up of incredible voices, and no character is left in the lurch…even the wannabe-Frankentstein butler, Lurch. They all get their moment, whether that’s Pugsley’s number What If where he wonders who will torture him when his sister moves on, or the introspective songs that Gomez turns to the audience to sing mid-conversation about what he will and will not do for his lady love. The low stakes of the plot leave the cast with plenty of room to have fun within the musical number and  smaller scenes that could be dull if they lacked energy.  Instead the company come together to produce a show that is witty, funny and has you wanting to get up and sing along by the time closing number comes around. Incredibile, large scale dance numbers are what give the show that sprinkle of the West-End, and the solo numbers like Morticia’s Just Around the Corner  and Wednesday’s Pulled make for some show-stopping performances by the cast.

The classic humour and dry-wit of the Addams is ever-present throughout the show. Rather than go for the slapstick approach, the jokes are clever and often often self-aware, poking fun at itself. When Morticia lifts her dress for a tango number, Gomez is stunned- “you have legs?”. It’s refreshing, and maintains that sense of the Addams Family we know and love.

Naturally, some cast-members shine more than others (which is tricky to do when everyone’s dressed in black and grey). While the musical revolves around Wednesday, Carrie Hope Flecther’s over-zealous interpretation of the iconic deadpan pigtailed character means we lose her to the theatricality of it all. Samantha Womack shines as the sultry gothic temptress Morticia Addams, but it’s Cameron Blakely’s chirpy energetic Gomez Addams that steals the show. His charming energy keeps things exciting and makes a predictable plot feel fresh. Charlotte Paige as the fidgety Alice Beineike took me by surprise. The housewife, who resorts to rhyming (and the occasional drink) in times of stress, gave one of the best performances of the night. Her operatic voice made her almost hypnotic to watch during scenes packed with characters. She had the audience in hysterics, breaking out a killer voice on top of her incredible comedic performance. Really, it’s the parents who steal the show. Morticia’s obsession with the truth, Alice’s failing marriage and Gomez’ attempts to please everyone are absolutely the most watchable and interesting elements of the musical.

“This is a musical about family.”

Ultimately, the charm of the Addams Family can’t help but rub off on the audience. I found myself surprised that I left  the theatre humming the closing number, but that’s the thing about the Addams Family; they’re creepy and kooky as ever, and now they make for a great time at the theatre.

‘The Addams Family’ runs in the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre from August 15 to 26, tickets available here.