The Addams Family, UK Tour (2025) Review
The cast of The Addams Family. Photo by Pamela Raith
Written by Emmie for Theatre & Tonic
Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review
Written by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice (the team behind Jersey Boys), the beloved kooky family returns to the stage this summer for the third time since its debut in 2017. Whether it’s through the original TV series, the iconic '90s films, or the recent Wednesday Netflix reboot, there’s a huge and enduring appeal for The Addams Family which spans across generations.
This stage production taps into that legacy while bringing its unique theatrical flair. It’s written with nostalgia and peppered with comedic brilliance, ensuring there’s something for fans old and new.
From the moment you walk into the theatre, you are transported to the dark and mysterious world in which the family resides - cleverly designed by Diego Pitarch and emphasised by Ben Cracknell’s striking lighting design.
In this stage production, we are thrown straight into the action, joining the kooky Addams family many years later. While much remains the same, the spotlight now falls on the dark, gothic, and delightfully deadpan young woman we know as Wednesday Addams — played by the almighty force that is Lauren Jones. Her portrayal of a grown-up Wednesday, filled with unexpected warmth and intense passion, is so compelling it leaves you just as concerned as her bewildered parents. Jones delivers a punchy performance from the moment she enters, and her rendition of ‘Pulled’ blows the roof off the theatre.
Her chemistry with her on stage lover Lucas Beineke, played by Jacob Fowler, was well portrayed too. Their harmonies in ‘Crazier Than You’ were like velvet together and were enjoyable to experience.
The wider Addams Family collective in this show were incredible. Including Alexandra Burke (Sister Act The Musical) as Morticia, Clive Rowe (The Baker’s Wife) as Uncle Fester, Dickon Gough as Lurch, Nicholas Mclean (Wicked) as Pugsley, Ricardo Afonso (Glory Ride - A New Musical) as Gomez and Siobhan Diffin as Cover Grandma - you couldn’t fault a single performance. Each of them weaved seamlessly into the comedy and unique flair of their individual characters to form a strong unit.
Then there’s Kara Lane and Dale Rapley as Alice and Mal Beineke who are excellent with striking the right balance between upright “normality” and unhinged chaos as the story unfolds.
One of the best performances of the night as a collective was the Ancestors, a collective of 7 people who fill the stage with their individual characters, high level of energy and enthusiasm. Their contribution to the plot line didn't go unnoticed and really helped to take you through the journey of this show. I thought it was great how they took notice of their invisibility to the 'normal' family and how this transitions towards the end.
The Addams Family is altogether ooky – and altogether brilliant. It plays at Curve Theatre, Leicester until 10 Aug.
★★★★
