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I went into The Addams Family at Curve expecting a fun night out, and that’s exactly what I got. It delivered. It’s good surface-level entertainment. The story doesn’t go deep, but the cast bring it to life with a lot of charm and energy. The design is slick, the pace keeps things moving, and the laughs land often enough.

I’m going to dive straight in by saying that Lauren Jones as Wednesday was the absolute highlight for me. Her performance had real power. “Pulled” was easily one of the strongest numbers of the night. She nailed the vocals and gave the character some solid weight without ever losing Wednesday’s deadpan. She finds a balance between sarcasm and sincerity that works beautifully, and I adored her, especially in her scenes with Gomez. “Crazier Than You” was another standout moment, full of spark and sharp timing. The chemistry between her and Lucas (Jacob Fowler) made that whole thing click.

Ricardo Afonso is another standout as Gomez and he brings a lot of warmth and playfulness. He’s got that classic leading man charm but uses it in a way that always feels connected and cheeky. What I really loved was the father-daughter dynamic between him and Wednesday. Their scenes together had heart and complexity. He clearly wants to do right by her, even when she’s pulling him into chaos and intertwines him into her schemes.

Clive Rowe’s Fester is genuinely lovely. He gives the role heart and joy, and while his subplot is completely ridiculous, he has such sincerity that I found myself shipping. “The Moon and Me” could easily have been a forgettable filler, but instead it turns out to be one of the endearing parts of the show. His comic instincts are spot on, his breaking of the 4th wall is fun, but there’s also a softness to his performance that added a nice balance.

Also in the star-studded cast we have Alexandra Burke playing Morticia with a very smooth vocal delivery and a strong physical presence. She carries the role with confidence and style. Her movement is elegant, her lines are well delivered, and her voice, while not given the biggest musical moments, adds a layer of polish. Lesley Joseph as Grandma is razor sharp. She didn’t have a huge amount of stage time, but she made every moment count. The physical comedy, the quickfire delivery, and the sheer fun she was having onstage were infectious. She brought a wild energy that added a completely different flavour to the family dynamic.

Kara Lane steals the spotlight as Alice Beineke, delivering a stellar number to close the first act and surprises with a transformation from tightly wound conservative to wild and liberated which was one of the most entertaining arcs in the show. Think Rocky Horror!

The rest of the ensemble does a solid job filling out the world, and there are some strong visual gags throughout. The undead ancestors are used cleverly and give the whole thing a slightly surreal edge that works well.

The Addams Family leans more into family-friendly musical comedy than gothic satire, but the chemistry between the leads carries it through. I especially liked how much heart there was in the Gomez-Wednesday relationship. That dynamic was where the real emotion sat for me, and it gave the show an anchor it needed.

It’s a fun musical with a few power songs, plenty of laughs, and a cast who give it their all. If you’re after a smart, layered story, this won’t be it. But if you’re up for some great performances, a few standout musical numbers, and a generally fun night at the theatre, it’s well worth your time.

On until 10th August

Press tickets for review