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★★★★
For Summer 2025, a new production of Marshall Brickman, Rick Elice and Andrew Lippa’s ‘The Addams Family’ musical is on tour across the UK and Canterbury is one of five lucky cities that gets to host the show for a week. Directed by Matthew White, the comedy musical is at the Marlowe Theatre until Saturday 23rd August, with Alexandra Burke and Ricardo Afonso starring as Morticia and Gomez, alongside Lesley Joseph as Grandma and Clive Rowe as Uncle Fester. I first watched a version of the musical in an intimate venue at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2022, and this week was so excited to have the chance to watch a fully staged version on press night here in Kent. It’s amusing, eccentric and totally Addams, with the iconic characters and a catchy score.
About the show
The musical adaptation of ‘The Addams Family’ takes place over the course of one hectic evening, with Wednesday (Lauren Jones) keeping a big secret from her mother. She has fallen in love with a young man called Lucas (Sario Solomon), whose cheery family could not be further from the Addams clan. Before they can take the next steps in their relationship, the families must meet in person and with Uncle Fester and Pugsley (Nicholas McLean) let loose around the house, what could possibly go wrong. It is a light-hearted show that doesn’t take itself too seriously and has bundles of dark humour and sarcasm. The musical doesn’t have the most enthralling book, but what it lacks in narrative development, it makes up for in the outrageous character interactions.
Creepy set and costume design
Diego Pitarch’s set and costume design makes this show, inviting audiences into the family’s mansion, complete with gothic architecture and mischievous ancestors. From a souvenir torture chair to talking artwork, this is no ordinary house and the audience gets to see inside various rooms over the course of the evening. This combined with the creative’s costume designs which are clearly inspired by the original cartoon characters, makes you truly believe that you are a guest of the Addams Family. Additionally, I loved how the Beinekes’ costumes brought hints of vibrant colour into the design. It really hits home the point that Lucas Beineke is not who the family thought Wednesday would end up with.
Fun and totally kooky
‘The Addams Family’ is a very enjoyable musical comedy featuring the characters that we all know and love. The cast performances are really memorable and with the success of the ‘Wednesday’ Netflix programme, this is sure to have given the stage show a whole new audience. Lauren Jones is absolutely brilliant as the now world-famous character. The production is at the Marlowe Theatre until Saturday 23rd August, with last minute tickets available via the theatre’s website.
*My ticket for ‘The Addams Family’ was gifted in exchange for an unbiased review.
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