Review: THE ADDAMS FAMILY - A MUSICAL COMEDY, Birmingham Hippodrome - Tour
Photo credit: Pamela Raith
When Andrew Lippa, renowned for his superb and haunting work on The Wild Party, took on The Addams Family, he dared to bring Charles Addams’ beloved clan to the bright lights of Broadway. Premiering in 2010, the musical may have split the critics, but it packed houses night after night, driven by Broadway heavyweights Nathan Lane and Bebe Neuwirth leading to commercial success.
The story centres on Wednesday Addams, who has fallen for a “normal” boy from Ohio, Lucas Beineke. When she invites his straight-laced family to dinner (without telling her father, Gomez, that she’s engaged) things spiral into chaos. Secrets come out, tensions flare, and both families are forced to confront not only each other, but their own inner weirdness.
The Addams Family brings spooky charm, offbeat humour, and a surprising dose of heart to the stage. The choreography is the shining star and moves the story along with precision and glamour with just the right amount of macabre. The gothic aesthetic set is to be expected but no less entertaining, ensuring a few surprises for the audience. Two balconies on either side of the stage set up some nice narrator like moments with Uncle Fester (played by the brilliant Clive Rowe).
While parts of the score may fade from memory, the standout numbers more than make up for it. Lippa skillfully blends humour and heart, crafting a diverse musical palette that gives each character a well deserved moment in the spotlight. And Ricardo Afonso (Gomez) certainly deserves his time in the spotlight. His voice shines in this score and his dancing is exquisite, a true star of the stage. The cast as a whole work well together and the ensemble numbers paired with Alistair David’s choreography are full of wonder and awe. Alexandra Burke’s tango with Gomez is an exciting highlight, though at times she doesn’t quite capture the sharpness that Morticia requires to stand out against the higher-energy characters.
While the show boasts plenty of strengths, its storyline lacks a little depth, and the pacing noticeably dips in the second act. At the start of the show last night, there were some technical difficulties that affected the opening number, causing some incredible harmonies to be missed. Nonetheless, this is a solid production with standout performances, anchored by Lippa’s often underrated score. The ensemble are a true highlight, making it well worth seeing. A lively and (mostly) family-friendly night at the theatre.
*** Three stars
Reviewed by: Sophie Eaton