Go to see ’em, they really are a scream
THEY’RE creepy, kooky, mysterious and spooky and, more importantly, they’ve definitely settled here in Southport this Easter.
The Addams Family, a musical comedy, is based on their creator Charles Addams’s sweetly ghoulish characters: Gomez, Morticia, Uncle Fester, Lurch, Pugsley, Grandmama and, of course, Wednesday.
The story is not an adaptation of The Addams Family films or TV shows but an original story, but of course, the characters are heavily informed by past screen versions, and the overture kicks off with a snippet of the familiar TV theme.
Song, the talented award winning company which has won the National Opera and Dramatic Association’s (Noda) Best Ensemble award two years in a row, has moved into The Atkinson in Lord Street, making last minute preparations before the show is performed for its first audience tonight (Thursday) at 7.30pm.
Meg Standeven is leading the make-up team to transform the cast into their characters from the ancestors to The Addams themselves.
Charles Moss, recent winner of the Noda Best Musical Director award, said: “The transformations are incredible.
“The songs by Andrew Lippa are a mix of tango, cabaret and vaudevillestyle numbers that are very entertaining.
“We have a fantastic 12-piece orchestra to support a variety of very good musical numbers - most very witty, some rather touching.”
Song’s director and chairperson, Karen Edge, said: “It’s about love in all its forms, it’s about the hard work involved in change, it’s about being our authentic selves.
“Our choreographer, Vicci Harrocks, has created a wonderful selection of dances that enhance the show perfectly and will delight our audiences.
“We hope to see families enjoying the much loved family during the Easter holidays and it was certainly one of my favourite TV shows when I was a child.”
Karen has also been named Director and Choreographer of the Year by Noda.
For tickets, call the box office on 01704 533333 or visit www.theatkinson. co.uk
The show runs until Saturday at 7.30pm, with an extra matinee performance at 2.30pm on Saturday.