The Addams Family as presented by Newcastle West MS

Society name: Newcastle West Musical Society

Show name: The Addams Family

Adjudicator date of attendance: 07/11/2024

Brief overview of show and evaluation of Front of House

From the moment guests walked through the door, the front-of-house experience was warm and inviting, setting the tone for the evening. Despite the unconventional use of a sports hall as the venue, the transition to a theater space was thoughtfully executed, and the show emanated a strong sense of community. The front-of-house team made an excellent first impression with their warm and friendly welcome. The community spirit was evident, with a sense of inclusion that was a lovely introduction to the evening’s entertainment. The atmosphere was transformed into one of intimacy and excitement, with the audience immediately drawn into the world of the Addams family. 

Director- Direction and Production

Director Susan Browne was responsible for guiding the creative vision of The Addams Family, and her dedication and passion for the project were evident throughout. However, the dual responsibility of directing/choreographing, and also performing as Morticia Addams, presented some challenges for the production. In scenes where Susan was not performing, there was a noticeable improvement in the attention to detail, with stronger pacing, character interactions, and more precise blocking choices. In the other scenes some challenges affected the flow of a few scenes, particularly those that required smooth transitions and more fluid interactions between performers. The Addams Family thrives on sharp wit and quick exchanges, and the slower delivery in some scenes diminished the impact of the humor. Small details benefit from a director who can observe the action more objectively from a distance.

Given the scope of the production, it’s clear that an assistant director could have been a valuable asset, helping to manage the finer details and offering a fresh perspective. With some additional support, the direction could have been even more polished, allowing the production to fully reach its potential.

Musical Director- Direction and Orchestra

Musical Director Elaine Davern led the orchestra with great skill, ensuring the music was well-balanced and the band’s lines were clear and present throughout the performance. The band performed excellently, and the balance between the orchestra and singers was effectively maintained, ensuring that the vocals were never overpowered by the instrumental sections. The audience could clearly hear the nuances in the musical score, which enhanced the overall experience.

However, there were moments during certain numbers, where the vocal timing and cues seemed slightly off. The fault here appeared to lie more with the cast than with Elaine’s cueing or musical preparation. With more preparation here the cast would be more attuned to their cues and the musical timing, and the blend of voices.

Leading Principles

Gomez Addams (Colman Deely): Colman's performance as Gomez Addams had moments of charm, and his mellow vocal tone was a highlight. The pacing of his dialogue felt slow, and he struggled to inject the necessary energy and flair into the character’s comedic moments. Gomez is meant to be a dynamic and larger-than-life character, and the portrayal occasionally lacked the exuberance required to fully capture Gomez’s playful spirit. A more energetic delivery could have allowed the comedy to land more effectively.

Morticia Addams (Susan Browne): Susan’s vocal performance as Morticia was powerful, and she demonstrated an impressive command of the songs' ranges. However, her characterisation of Morticia felt somewhat stern and overly dramatic at times. Morticia is meant to exude an air of unflappable calmness, even in her more exaggerated moments, but the interpretation leaned more towards a somber tone. With a bit more lightness and nuance, Susan could have delivered a more balanced performance.

Wednesday Addams (Molly Sparling): Molly’s performance as Wednesday was one of the standout moments of the production. She captured the character’s sardonic wit perfectly and displayed excellent vocal ability. The chemistry with her co-star, Padraig Doherty (Lucas Beineke), was palpable, and her portrayal of the complicated father-daughter relationship with Gomez was particularly well-executed. This performance suggests that Molly is an exciting talent with a promising future in musical theater.

Lucas Beineke (Padraig Doherty): Padraig brought a refreshing energy to the role of Lucas, providing a great contrast to Wednesday’s darker character. His vocal performance, especially in I’m Crazier Than You, was beautiful and well-matched to Sparling’s Wednesday. His portrayal of the character was believable and full of energy, making him an engaging presence on stage.

Supporting Roles- Singing (if applicable) and Acting

Pugsley Addams (Tiernan Bourke): Tiernan’s portrayal of the mischievous younger brother was endearing. Although a little hesitant in the early scenes, he grew into the role and held his own alongside the more experienced cast members. His voice showed great potential, and with further development, he could become an even more standout performer.

Alice Beineke (Anne Marie Murphy): Anne Marie delivered a performance that was one of the strongest in the show. Her powerful voice was a major asset, although there were moments when she could have pushed her character’s madness and eccentricity further, particularly in Waiting. Still, her portrayal was convincing, and her voice added depth to the character.

Mal Beineke (Charlie O’Connell): Charlie’s portrayal of Mal was understated but effective. His portrayal of a man bewildered by the bizarre Addams family was believable, but there were opportunities to further explore his bewilderment and confusion to add more layers to the character.

Fester Addams (Eamonn O’Connor): Eamonn’s portrayal was an audience favourite. More work on the nuances of Festers eccentricities, and playful energy would have brought more depth to the quirky nature of the character, as well as some accent work. I would suggest some vocal lessons to create greater strength in this area. 

Grandma (Annmarie Keating): Annmarie’s performance as Grandma was one of the most delightful aspects of the show. She brought a wonderful sense of humor and quirkiness to the role, and her moments on stage were genuinely funny. However, some of her best moments felt a bit underdeveloped, which may have been due to directorial choices. Still, the performance was a highlight.

Lurch (Paul Keys): Paul had a lovely voice, but unfortunately, he missed his key in the finale. Lurch’s character also had more potential for comedic emphasis, particularly in his slow movements. A more exaggerated performance in this area would have enhanced the humor of his character.

Chorus/Ensemble

The ensemble worked hard and clearly enjoyed themselves on stage, bringing energy and life to the production. Though their performances had the potential to be more polished, they demonstrated clear commitment to their roles and created an enjoyable atmosphere on stage that was spirited and lively. With more refinement, the ensemble could elevate their performances even further, showcasing the strength of the entire company.

Stage Management & Set Design

The set design was cleverly executed, making effective use of the small stage space and limited wing area. The set was well-painted and decorated, creating a visually appealing environment. However, the pace of scene changes could have been quicker, as they were a bit slow, affecting the overall momentum of the show. The inclusion of a curtain for external scenes, like Moon and Me, was an interesting idea, and this device could have been used more frequently to signal transitions between spaces.

Technical- Light and Sound 

The sound design was generally effective, providing a good balance between the music and vocals. However, there were moments when the chorus could have been lifted more in the mix to ensure their voices were heard more clearly. Some missed cues, but nothing major to affect the performance.

While the lighting was basic, it was used effectively to support the mood of the production. In this design lies the proof that a lot can be done with a small rig. Some important lighting cues were missed, particularly during the “ding” moments of Gomez’s scenes, which impacted the intended dramatic effect.

Visual- Costumes, Hair and Make Up

The costumes were well-executed, with a clear attention to detail that helped define each principal and chorus character. The makeup was particularly impressive, with ghostly shading adding to the gothic atmosphere of the show. Hair was styled to suit each character, adding an extra layer of visual detail that made the production aesthetically pleasing.

Adjudicators suggestions/ comments- overall comments on the production and comments to enhance the standard for future performances.

In conclusion, Newcastle West Musical Society’s production of The Addams Family was a strong and enjoyable effort. While the direction, performances, and technical elements showed clear potential, there were areas where more refinement and attention to detail could elevate the overall production. Additionally, some performances would benefit from more energy and focus.

With continued development and a little more fine-tuning in both rehearsal discipline and directorial oversight, Newcastle West Musical Society’s future productions will undoubtedly be even stronger. The foundation of talented performers and dedicated team members is clear, and with the right adjustments, they can achieve a higher level of theatrical excellence.