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Warrington Guardian Review

The Addams Family
19th Feb 2024

Starring Zack Smith and Bianca Tranter in the central roles of Gomez and Morticia Addams, this imaginative production was laugh-a-minute funny, with outstanding vocals and toe-tapping choreography.

A 1960s TV staple, the ‘kooky, spooky and altogether ooky’ Addams Family became a hit ‘90s movie before finding Broadway success as a musical in 2010.

Featuring music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa, the show centres on the consummate Princess of Darkness, Wednesday Addams (Isabelle Nash), who has received a marriage proposal from Lucas Beineke (Arran Abbey) – a sweet young man from a respectable family, who her parents have never met.

When Lucas and his parents reluctantly accept a dinner invitation from Wednesday that Gomez never extended and Morticia hasn’t sanctioned, the farce begins at the Addams’ macabre mansion… First-time director Leigh Nash coaxes every ounce of talent from the cast – staging a memorable show full of style and pizazz. Smith and Tranter are the embodiment of Gomez and Morticia. Their sizzling chemistry peaks with a sensual ‘Tango de Amor’, which Tanter wraps her endless legs around to perfection. Smith’s tongue-twisting dialogue is note-perfect, and his comic asides brilliantly timed.

As crossbow-toting Wednesday, Nash bristles with attitude. Her powerhouse vocals are a highlight of the show; none more so than in ‘Pulled’. Special mention must go to AMADs debutant Annabel Fox, who delights as rhyming Alice Beineke, and to Amy Gladwin as the most lovable Uncle Fester, whose affair with the moon reaches its zenith thanks to outstanding special effects courtesy of the sound and lighting crew: Mike Nash, Nathan Higham and Michael Aaron.

Ali Owen is a delightfully dotty Grandma Addams (the relative no one wants to claim); Oliver Matthews is a promising Pugsley; John Hickey raises a smile as mute butler Lurch; and Rob Minjoot, star of ‘It Runs in the Family’, imbibes Mal Beineke with frenetic energy.

It is a sign of a society rich in talent that many stars of previous shows – including Jessica Ratcliffe, Rebekah Denton and Gemma Ewen – can be seen shining in the ensemble. Indeed, Burtonwood AMADS continues to level up with evermore impressive sets, meticulously created by Helen McNicholas; sophisticated arrangements by musical directors Isabelle Nash and Jayne Harnick; and enhanced lighting and sounds systems courtesy of Warrington-based energy company Matrix.

Full credit goes to the management team, who are celebrating a much-deserved NODA Award for their Chairman Brian Maffit – a Burtonwood legend who has dedicated 40 years to amateur theatre.