Cast
Cameron Blakely as Gomez Addams
Rebecca Thornbill as Morticia Addams
Carrie Hope Fletcher as Wednesday Addams
Oliver Ormson as Lucas Beineke
Valda Aviks as Grandma Addams
Grant Mcintyre as Pugsley Addams
Dickon Gough as Lurch
Dale Rapley as Mal Beineke
Charlotte Page as Alice Beineke
The spooky and kooky Addams Family has made its way from UK to Singapore and it’s a pleasure to catch the opening act of this dark comedy musical.
With its impressive stage set up, spectacular set, ever changing backdrops and props, from moving stairways, living room, bedrooms, attic, torture chamber, dining hall, graveyard and starry skies, there was never a dull moment admiring these visual aesthetics.
The story revolved mainly around Wednesday Addams, who has fallen for a “normal” boy, Lucas. The two families were supposed to meet for a dinner that night and the couple was hoping they could get along before they announce their decision to get married. However, Wednesday only confided in her father and kept it a secret from her mother, Morticia, for fear that she may wreck the meeting.
Not just the Addams Family, but every big or small character on stage, has great vocals. I particularly love Carrie Hope Fletcher (Wednesday Adams) and Rebecca Thornbill’s (Morticia Addams) singing.
You have got to love every character on stage as they assimilate into their roles really well.
Cameron Blakely takes on the role of Gomez Addams, who’s the loving husband and father, who’s torn between the 2 women of his life – Morticia and Wednesday, between telling the truth and keeping a secret. Rebecca’s rendition of Morticia was just so good that it was so true to the character that we all know of. Carrie Hope Fletcher’s portrayal as Wednesday Addams pulled off amazingly well with her astoundingly strong vocals and the difficulties in balancing between love and family.
There’s also Pugsley who loves being tortured by his sister, Wednesday and Uncle Fester who fell in love with the moon and feels that love conquers all. It’s not the distance that matters but love is all you need.
The audience cheered with hoot calls when Lurch who only had lines such as “Mmmmhhphhpp” throughout the entire musical, finally sang at the end. His slow motions and quirkiness provided much entertainment.
My favourite scene is when both families sat down at the dining table to play “The Game”. It is called “Full Disclosure”, which is similar to “Truth or Dare”.
Because Morticia believes in honesty and truth, she wanted everyone to reveal something that they have not told anyone else. This was with the intention to lead her husband, Gomez into revealing what was the secret that he shared with Wednesday.
I love how all the cast sang their respective parts for “Full Disclosure”. The synchronisation of their vocals was just so melodious.
Alice Beineke’s “breakdown” and revelations after taking the potion “Acromonium” which Pugsley had stolen to poison Wednesday. were particularly impressive and astounding in this scene.
Wednesday and Lucas’ couple version of “Crazier Than You” was my favourite song in Act 2.
The Tango Dance scene between Gomez and Morticia was one of great chemistry as well.
While the story line is pretty much predictable since it revolves around “Love” and some of the songs could be a little lengthy, the cast managed to bring out some important messages or what’s going on with most people’s daily lives through their songs in a more light-hearted manner.
Here are some themes that the musical is trying to bring across to the audience:
– What one defines as “normal” may be “peculiar” from another person’s perspective
This was portrayed through Wednesday’s request for her family to behave “normally” in front of Lucas’ family. However, Morticia’s reply was “What’s normal to a spider, can be fatal to a fly”.The point is, just be yourself. You wont be able to please everyone so just be uniquely you.
– Keep the love warm even after marriage
Mal and Alice lacked communication as the years go by and it was all just about earning money and paying mortgages. However, it was after Alice’s revelation that Mal remembered how carefree they were back then and how much they loved each other in their younger days.Marriage is not all about earning money, paying mortgages and having kids. Sometimes, you need to keep your love warm by loosening up and revive your younger days.
– Full Honesty in a Marriage – Yay or Nay?
Morticia believes what kept her marriage lasting is that there is full honesty and absolutely no secrets between her and Gomez but Alice feels that she could keep her marriage till this day because she did not reveal everything to Mal.
Well, I guess this pretty much depends on how truthful both parties are in a marriage. If both could just talk it out, that’s probably the best thing. That’s also possibly why Morticia and Gomez can still be so loving and passionate after decades.
Life can never be a bed of roses. Human relationships are complicated and ever-changing and we all need to learn how to deal with and also accepting one another’s differences.
This is best portrayed in how different the Addams and the Beinekes are, but when they open their minds and hearts to one another’s differences, they realised how seeing from one another’s perspectives could help them deal with their own issues as well.
The Addams may be weird in their individual ways but they manage to stay on as a closely-knitted family because of their love for one another and willingness to accept everyone as who they are.
The ones who love you, will not ask you to change, but to be true to yourself.
This is probably the most beautiful thing that the musical has brought to us, other than the spectacular stage settings, powerful vocals and light hearted atmosphere.
Get your tickets if you haven’t done so.
The Addams Family will be here to stay till 3 December.
