The Addams Family Musical - The Lowry

IF you thought you’re family is odd, I suggest you spend an evening with this lot.

Also, spare a thought or two for Lucas, the quintessential all American boy, complete with baseball jacket, who harbours an ambition to marry into this ghoulish brood.

The love of his life just happens to be Wednesday who carries a crossbow for fun and has torturing her brother Pugsley on her list of her favourite pastimes.

But Pugsley actually enjoys his sister’s torment because this is all done for comedic effect and hates the possibility of his sister leaving the family home.

When Lucas and Wednesday decide to set up a meet the parents evening at the Addams’ rambling and spooky mansion the scene is set for some comedy gold because Mal and Alice are the complete opposite to their potential in laws.

Mal is staid and boring and Alice quietly aches for a bit more spice in what has become for her a soporific, trial of a marriage. Gomez and Morticia Addams, Wednesday’s mom and dad, are the complete opposite.

This is captured in a fabulous dance routine involving Ricardo Alfonso and Alexandra Burke who totally immerse themselves in their respective roles as experts in the art of comic timing.

Burke seizes on the opportunity to shine in act two, which contains the best songs.

The same is also true of Clive Rowe as Uncle Fester and Dickon Gough as the expressionless, zombie butler, Lurch.

As Alice though, Kara Lane exudes a terrific presence and for me, one of the finest singing voices in the entire cast.

It was also great to see some many children at the theatre with many girls in particular entering into the spirit of the show by dressing up as the most unlikely of heroines, Wednesday Addams. Youngsters are, let’s face it, the audiences of the future.

Then there were the big kids, too.

Great fun this, from start to finish.

Until August 16. The box office is on 0343 208 6000 and you can also book online at www.thelowry.com.

Star rating - 4.5 out of 5.