★★★★★
Wonderfully eccentric, The Addams Family, as first created by cartoonist Charles Addams, has been the inspiration for countless pieces of media since their introduction in 1938. In 2010, the first stage adaptation in the form of The Addams Family musical hit the Broadway stage. Now, Joshua Robson Productions has brought a glorious adaptation of this ghoulish tale to the stage, in association with Hayes Theatre Co.
The musical introduces us to the alive, dead and undecided members of the Addams family on the eve of a very important dinner. Wednesday, the eldest daughter of the family, is bringing over a “friend,” the decidedly normal Lucas Beineke and his family.
But not all is as it seems. Conflicting loyalties lead to a chaotic evening filled with confessions, repercussions and decisions that will shape the future of both families.
From the second one enters the theatre, they are immersed in the delightfully macabre world of the Addams family, thanks to the incredible production design from Dann Barber. The highly stylised, hand-sketched quality to the set design is visually striking. The clever use of minimal set pieces provides the perfect playground for the actors on stage.
The costume design for every character is immaculate. I would particularly like to compliment the creativity in the designs for Lurch (embodying the Addams family home), Wednesday’s ‘yellow’ dress and the ancestors.
Director Julia Robertson has crafted an impeccable production with performances that truly showcase the humanity and heart within this dark and morbidly comedic story. The fun the performers are having on stage is palpable. It is a testament to both their extraordinary talent and the world Robertson has crafted.
The music is outstanding. Under the masterful supervision of Zara Stanton and direction of Zander Gaal, the score and vocals fill the theatre and immediately transform the space.
Shannon Burns absolutely nails the choreography, with a stunning blend of styles and eccentricity that perfectly reflects the characters and their stories.
Marcus Rivera and Erika Heynatz are a match made in heaven (or maybe hell) as Gomez and Morticia Addams. Bringing so much life and energy to the stage, it is just so fun to watch how their individual loyalty to their family and their marriage contributes to the unfolding chaos.
Jenny Guigayoma is phenomenal as Wednesday Addams. An absolute powerhouse performer, she perfectly balances the dark humour of the role with moments of genuine heart in her interactions with her family and Lucas.
The physically imposing character of Lurch, performed by Elliot Aitken, immediately captures hearts with his gentle nature. Elliot’s comedic timing and physicality are a true delight.
Evan Lever is the perfect Uncle Fester. As the semi-narrator of the tale, he imbues the narrative with so much love and heart. There is something bizarrely heartwarming in the pairing of his creepy demeanour with genuine openness.
Georgia Oom is wonderful as Pugsley, embodying the role with youthful and chaotic energy. The role of Grandmama is played by Deborah Galanos, who seems to perfectly match this energy in every scene.
Alexander Tye is charming as Lucas Beineke. He is so earnest in his devotion to Wednesday, and it is wonderful to see how they both grow together throughout the story.
Lucas’ parents, Alice and Mal, are portrayed by Teagan Wouters and Rory O’Keeffe, respectively, who beautifully contrast their relationship to that of Gomez and Morticia. It is so satisfying to see how they are changed by their interactions with the Addams family.
The ensemble rounds out the cast as the Addams family ancestors and are absolutely incredible. They add so much depth and visual excitement to every scene.
The Addams Family is a fantastic addition to Hayes Theatre Co’s 2026 season. The stunning visuals, soaring vocals and phenomenally talented cast combine perfectly to tell the story of this fiendishly famous family. If you are after a night of high emotions, laughter and just a little terror, this is your show.
The Addams Family is presented by Joshua Robson Productions in association with Hayes Theatre Co. It runs to 9 August at Hayes Theatre Co. 19 Greenknowe Avenue Potts Point NSW 2011.
Tickets: https://hayestheatre.com.au/event/the-addams-family/
Website: https://hayestheatre.com.au/
Socials: https://www.instagram.com/hayestheatreco_official/ and https://www.instagram.com/jrpaustralia/
Photo credits: James Reiser
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