Theatre Review: The Addams Family @ Stoke Rep Theatre

As the producer of the enormously popular View from the Wings – the Moorlands Radio Arts & Entertainment Podcast, I don’t normally get out to see shows of any kind. In fact Dave Stringer and Carol Lovatt keep me locked away in a cold dark studio editing their interviews and twiddling the knobs whilst they do the talking.

Today, Saturday 17th October I broke out of captivity to attend the afternoon performance of Stoke Youth Musical Theatre Company’s latest offering The Addams Family at the Stoke Rep Theatre.

The Addams Family started life as a book before becoming a TV show, a cartoon, a series of films and then finally a musical theatre production which premiered on Broadway.

It follows the weird, whacky and spooky life of a quite dysfunctional New York Family. The show tells the story of how Wednesday Addams (Eva Yates), the ultimate princess of darkness with more than a passing interest in a crossbow, has grown up and has fallen in love with a respectable young man. Her parents Gomez (Anna Pye) and Morticia (Jess Wilbraham) have never met him and so a get to know you dinner is arranged. The boy is to attend with his his parents. Before they arrive Wednesday confides in her father and tells him she and her boyfriend want to marry. She makes her dad swear he will not tell her mother. The night arrives and they end the meal with a tradtional Addams family game ‘Full Disclosure’. As you would guess the evening is full of shananigans and mischief making.

This was the best show I have ever seen at Stoke Rep. Directed by Caroline Keen. The Musical Director was Leah Franks and the show was Choreographed by Taylor Ford. This trio were at the very top of their game which meant the cast could express themselves and showcase their limitlless talent.

A stand out performer? Yes! Every single member of this young cast performed at a level that would not be out of place of the Stage of the Regent Theatre. In fact I would go as far as saying this show was better than some musicals that charge triple the ticket price.

I should give a huge shout out to Anna Pye (Gomez), Jess Wilbraham (Morticia), Eva Yates (Wednesday) and George Broad (Uncle Fester). They absolutely knocked it out of the park. The dance routines were sublime, the singing powerfull and note perfect. There was a great moment of improv when Fester stood on and broke a plastic glass which had been knocked off a table. Not missing the moment he managed to turn it into a lovely interaction with the audience.

The stage at the Rep is not the biggest and the production used every millimeter of it. The set weas brilliantly designed.

This was my first visit to a Stoke Youth Musical Theatre production and it will definately not be my last. I want to see how these young performers progress. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if some of them go on to have long and successful careers in the industry.

I’m proud to have witnessed a fantastic piece of musical theatre at a great venue by a theatre company that showcases the awesome talent of our city’s young stars of the future.

Sadly the final performance is tonight but make sure you go and see their next offering. You will, like me, be in awe.

Right – back to that cold and dark studio….