Review of The Addams Family Musical: School Edition (Team Cousin IT) at the Cripps Hall Theatre, Northampton

I first saw the stage musical version of The Addams Family five years ago, and this, the school edition presented by NMTC Youth Society offered an intriguing prospect of how the somewhat dark humour that the main show might have been toned down.

It came as quite a delight, in the end, to discover that, mostly, it hadn’t been toned down at all. Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice’s book, and Andrew Lippa’s lyrics, constantly relish in death and the methods of. And in a very subtle, and clever moment, the show even has a covid joke, which for once, I actually liked. The shows can stop doing it now though.

Gomez is of course the main player in this musical, and what a truly brilliant performance Joe Jeffery brings to the stage. It is a total show of confidence and his stage presence is brilliant for someone so young. I also absolutely loved his comic timing, making the most of every little joke in the show. Hatti Taylor equally shines as Morticia, a slinky and stylish performance, which relishes in the deadpan look of the character. Both also perform their songs with extremely impressive vocal abilities, and Jeffery shows a brilliant skill with his accents and mickey-taking moments, which the audience loved.

Lily-Grace Tofte (who I remember shining on stage as young Cossette a few years back in Les Misérables, and slightly more recently in the adult company show Made in Dagenham) continues to dazzle with confidence as Wednesday, and her unquestionable vocal skills are on full display in several songs. Elsie Lovell provides a great amount of fun as her torture loving brother Pugsley as well and brings a great deal of depth to the character.

Clearly having a lot of fun on stage is Winter Wilmot as Uncle Fester, and serving also as our narrator for the show. I have to admit, that the whole moon storyline that Fester has in the show does not convince me, but with Wilmot’s performance, it at least is provided with some poignancy and charm.

Much like the character did in the adult version, Lurch, lurches across the stage in constant scene-stealing moments, and Isaac Standage in the role takes his chance with great humour.

Finally, for special mention from the cast is Zachary Pilkington as Mal, a brilliantly contrasting performance, but to say more, would be a spoiler. Let’s just say, he gives a fabulous performance.

There was very little to criticise from the show as a youth production, and mostly any minor issues were technical ones with some slightly sluggish scene changes and a few wayward spotlights. However, for a show that has a great deal going on, it was mostly brilliantly executed.

The show is on stage again on Sunday 10th April, with this team performing the evening performance, with this afternoon Team Thing is in action and I am looking forward to seeing what this different cast brings to the show.

Click your fingers and magic up some tickets while you can.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Performance reviewed: Saturday 9th April 2022 (matinee) at the Cripps Hall Theatre, Northampton.

The Addams Family: School Edition runs until Sunday 10th April at the Cripps Hall Theatre and details can be found at https://www.northamptonmusicaltheatrecompany.co.uk/youth/

The Addams Family is an NMTC YOUTH SOCIETY PRODUCTION

Production photos: Ashleigh Standage

Review of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at Royal & Derngate (Derngate), Northampton

I have seen a few touring shows of extremely well known shows like Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and a few have been quite a disappointment. Producers sitting back happy to sell the tickets on the name of a show, and deliver on stage not necessarily a terrible production, but one that sometimes never really leaves you feeling you have got value for your money. Music & Lyrics/West Yorkshire Playhouse's Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is far from one of them. An exemplary and large cast, costumes both in multitude and wonderful to look at, a set of infinite invention and a hidden but quality and large orchestra. Jason Manford as Caractacus Potts Perhaps more importantly this show also doesn't fail on its casting of "stars" over stage talent, for in the lead is Jason Manford as Caractacus Potts, an artist known for his comedy more than his acting history, and certainly little known for his singing ability, is a revelation. Likable, dominant on stage with clear chara...

Review of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street at Birmingham Rep

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street first appeared in this musical form in 1979. Adapted from an original play by Christopher Bond, the work was set to music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, with a book by Hugh Wheeler. It quickly became a huge success, opening on both Broadway and the West End within a year. Following Tony and Olivier wins, the show has seen revival after revival over the years, as well as a musical film starring Johnny Depp. Now, Birmingham Rep presents its own pared-back version of the show, featuring some big stars of the theatre world. So, the question is, is Sweeney Todd as razor-sharp as it once was? What is clear to all at the outset is that director Joe Murphy, also artistic director at Birmingham Rep, has assembled a remarkable and bold cast for the show. Leading as Sweeney is Ramin Karimloo, whose bio speaks for itself and is the biggest draw for this show, especially for theatres outside London. His Sweeney is a perfectly brooding affair, broken...

Review of Annie at Milton Keynes Theatre

Annie was first performed now a remarkable fifty years ago at Goodspeed Opera House in Connecticut, and since then, the tale based on a 1920s comic strip and adapted for the stage by Thomas Meehan on book, with music by Charles Strouse, and lyrics provided by Martin Charnin, has become a perennial favourite across the world. Indeed, this version, directed by Nikolai Foster, last appeared at Milton Keynes Theatre in 2023. So, after all these years, does Annie still have that appeal? Set in 1930s New York during the Great Depression, Annie follows the life of an orphan abandoned to the care of its evil matron, Miss Hannigan. Annie seeks escape, and after one failed attempt, she finds herself the chosen Christmas guest of billionaire Oliver Warbucks, and things slowly, hopefully begin to improve for the little but fiercely strong Annie. Leading the adult cast for this tour now as the cruel Miss Hannigan is Claire Sweeney. Sweeney clearly revels in the chance to embr...

A Small Mind At The Theatre

Search This Blog