Review: The Addams Family at The Orchard Theatre Dartford

I have fond memories of watching The Addams Family *click click* movies as a kid. I think cousin Itt and thing were my favourite characters, but who could forget Morticia and Gomez? The most in madly in love, diabolical couple ever, head of an odd wealthy aristocratic clan who delight in the macabre and are seemingly unaware or unconcerned that other people find them bizarre or frightening. My kind of people!

The last time I saw my favourite gothic family was back in the 90s with the Addams Family movies so I was delighted to hear that there is now a spectacular musical comedy from the writers of multi-award-winning hit musical Jersey Boys. With music and lyrics from Tony Award-nominated Andrew Lippa and starring Joanne Clifton (Strictly Come Dancing and The Rocky Horror Show) as Morticia.

So, what’s the plot of this musical? Wednesday Addams, the oldest child of Morticia and Gomez (and ultimate princess of darkness) is now all grown up and has fallen in love with a letterman jacket-wearing, sweet young man from a respectable “normal” family. Wednesday invites her beau and his parents to the Addams home in an attempt to introduce the families to reveal a big secret!

Unfortunately, Wednesday has been unable to keep the secret from her father, who finds himself uncomfortably trapped by the secret when his wife, who places a lot of importance on honesty in their marriage, finds out he is keeping something from her causing her to reconsider their relationship.

I have to admit I wasn’t expecting to be swept away by the music, but the live orchestra and original score were surprisingly good and I was blown away by the singing talents, in particular from Wednesday, Uncle Fester and Wednesday’s boyfriend’s mother!

The show was also super funny! Although a lot of the characters had comedic moments, the funniest by far was Gomez. At some points he had the audience laughing for longer than I could tell he had expected.

I also really enjoyed the dancing, from the first scene when Addams’s long-dead ancestors come back from the grave to celebrate with their living relatives with a full-on spectacular shindig to the eye-opening, passion-filled tango from Morticia and Gomez.

Join Morticia, Gomez, Uncle Fester, Lurch, Pugsley and more for a heart-warming story of love, family and friendship… with a twist and a tango! I really enjoyed my Addams Family musical experience and would recommend it to anyone who loved the movies as a child, and for anyone who wants to introduce their kids to the most bizarre and lovable family in entertainment. I award the show 5 out of 5 stars

The Addams Family is on at The Orchard in Dartford from Tuesday 22nd to Saturday 26th February 2022 and is moving on to The Churchill Theatre in Bromley in March. Grab your tickets now on The Orchard Theatre website, or The Churchill Theatre if you can’t make February’s dates.