"The Addams Family" by Good Companions Musical Theatre - Derby.

The 400 Hall Theatre, Repton.

This was my first visit to this theatre venue, and I was pleasantly surprised. It may not be the biggest theatre but the seating is really comfortable with great leg room. Let's face it, if you're comfortable in your seat, you're going to enjoy the show even more, right? the theatre auditorium had been decorated for Halloween, which also created the perfect atmosphere for this fun and freaky fan favourite.

One of my favourite, fun musicals has come around again, as an aperitif for Halloween. They may be creepy, kooky and all together ooky but The Addams Family are one of America's most loved comic strip creations and are as entertaining to a five year old as to a one hundred and five year old. Thankfully I am somewhere in the middle of that age range.

Young Wednesday Addams is growing up fast, and has fallen in love with Lucas, and wants to get married. She confides in her Dad, Gomez, but wants to keep it a secret, for the time being from her Mum, Morticia. But can Gomez keep the secret and what will happen when Lucas's parents meet The Addams over dinner and partake of the Addams favourite parlour game?

Talking of Full Disclosure, it's time I told you about this wonderfully talented cast......

Gomez is played by Cameron Trail. Wonderfully animated but completely trapped between the women in his life, i.e. his wife and his daughter. In this performance you really get that Gomez, even though he is head of the family, it's his wife who wears the pants, and Wednesday isn't too far behind her Mother either. Cameron also, and I don't know why I noticed this more in Cameron's performance than the other productions I've seen in the past, but he has brought to the fore more of the lustful side of Gomez.

Morticia is played by Reema Frost. the costume goes a long way to creating Morticia's image, and this costume brings out the sexiness of Morticia, especially in Act two when Morticia and Gomez perform "Tango De Amor", which I certainly Amored! Morticia is the boss, and Reema certainly shows that as she oozes over the stage. A very cool and in charge Morticia, and all packaged up with Reema's lovely voice, highlighted in that wonderfully comic number "Death Is Just Around The Corner".

Wednesday Addams is played by Ru Kniveton, who I will state from the off, also has a voice made for musical theatre. "Pulled" is Wednesday's signature song and Ru makes sure that every comic line is delivered with deliberation. Lovely characterisation, and Wednesday's influence in the musical is evident with the few "Wednesdays" who were spotted in the audience.

Pugsley is played alternately by three young actors, Quillen Parker, Benjamin Cooper and River Mahjouri. Tonight (Thursday) Benjamin Cooper was performing his stretch in the role. A real fun role for a young actor, but I also liked the way that Benjamin showed both the fun side as well as the softer side of the character as he shows just how much he would miss his sister, if she married Lucas and she was no longer in his young life. A solid performance.

Grandma is played by Heidi Hand, who doesn't look bad for 102 years old, Grandma that is, not Heidi. You can have real fun with the physicality of Grandma and Heidi certainly did. From the arthritic hobble with the walking stick to her "full disclosure" grinding, this Grandma certainly knew how to have fun, and we had fun with Heidi's presentation.

Lurch, the Butler, is played by Ross Trail, and is Ross's first major role in a musical. For anyone who doesn't know this musical, Lurch grows from a slow, growling, unemotive character to surprising the audience with his vocal talents. There was absolutely no break from character for Ross throughout, which is why, when he broke into song, the audience reaction was as good as it was. Here's to more major roles for Ross.

Uncle Fester is played by Jake Perry. Fester is one of my favourite characters; he's quite clued up but also quite childlike, especially with his adoration of the moon. Jake gets to show off his clear vocals as well as his ukelele playing talents, well for a few strums anyway. the whole creation of Fester is perfect; from the costume to the make up to the whole characterisation.

Now, if you think I am stressing the characterisation of the characters too much, I'm not. An actor has to make you believe the character they are playing, and for me I saw the characters and not the actors. They made me believe which is the magic of theatre and the skills of the actor.

Lucas Beineke is played by Jonty Banks, who makes his principal role debut as Lucas; I know, hard to believe that this is Jonty's debut as a lead character! Lucas is portrayed as like a lovestruck puppy, but then Wednesday turns that around and brings out the "crazy" in Lucas. Love the clarity in Jonty's vocals, with just the right amount of vibrato to highlight his musical theatre vocal skills.

Mrs Beineke, Alice, is played by Claire Jarman. I love the way this character allows the actor to stretch themselves, physically and vocally, especially as part of the "Full Disclosure" section. Claire gets to take Alice from a pussy cat to a tiger in just a few minutes.

Mr Beineke, Mal, is Phil Stanley. It's no secret just how much I love Phil's deep, chocolatey smooth vocals, which we sample in the second act of the show. I've seen Phil perform several roles for several theatre companies, but this part, as far as I can remember, has to be the most extensive role I've seen Phil in. I may be wrong but here I saw more of his acting talents than his singing talents, and for me it showed that Phil is just as adept in acting as he is in singing.

The Addams Family Ancestors are Gary Rowley (The Football Player), Mark Counter (The Juggler), Brian Counter (The Mime), Ollie Hand (The Gambler), Lisa Scott-savage (The Gymnast), Eleanor Mallinson (The Ringleader), Josh Greengrass (The Conquistador), Charlie Torry (The Soldier), Cassie Barrett (The Cowgirl), Ellen Horton (The Drunk), Charlotte Hanser (The Queen), Deborah McPherson (The Courtier), Chris England (The Priest), Cat Howourth (The Cavewoman), Scott Mill (The Caveman), Georgina Bateman (The Air Hostess), Adela Green (The Greek), Callie Egan (The Roman), Helen Perry (The Cabaret Girl), Emma Chadwick (The Courtesan), Lindsey Greasley (The Bride), Rachel Wallace (The Ballerina), Liv Thompson (The Flamenco Dancer) and Roxie Tucker (The Cheerleader).

All the above were summoned on to the stage, but they didn't all resign them selves to the stage because they popped up all over the place, making good use of the auditorium for appearances, entrances and exits.

On Saturday evening there's a BSL interpreted show with interpretation by Sebastian Probert.

Directed by Tom Banks, Helen Oldham and Phil Simcox. Tom is also the Production Co-Ordinator.

Choreography is by Jackie O'Brien. This is a real ensemble project, right from the opening number "When You're An Addams" through to Gomez's big number "Not Today" and then "Tango de Amor", the choreography is zany and fun. And I love a well performed tango.

The Set was fabulous, not only because of the decorations, but because it was on two levels which created extra entrance/exit points, as well as creating that image of a multi storey home for The Addams'. The decision to have the projection scenery was an excellent one as well to give more depth, as well as to show an exterior section.

Lighting Design is by Jamie Vella, and when I have nothing even slightly negative to comment on, you know that this is a job well done.

A well executed projection design, operated by Phil Simcox, gave extra depth to scenes like "The Moon And Me" and the summoning of the Ancestors.

Sound Design is by Harry Greatorex and Phil Simcox. Personally, I would have liked to have had the recorded soundtrack slightly quieter, only slightly, as there was a danger of not hearing some of the vocals at times. My ears soon attuned to the levels though. Being familiar with the soundtrack, I knew where the comic lines were, but I noticed some of the audience seemed to miss some of the comedy in the lyrics. Whether it was lost in the music or the audience didn't get the comedy for that split second, who knows? Nevertheless, I love the soundtrack and the clarity and punch that was delivered.

Musical Director is Richard Hodges. He has obviously worked his magic with the cast because the vocals were clear, strong and at times, of another world. It's a fun soundtrack and Richard has helped bring that fun to the fore.

The costumes were suitably fantastic, and not only for the main characters but for all of the different Addams Ancestors. Likewise the hair and make up were spectacular, or should that be spooktacular?

This show was everything that I had ex-spectred from Good Companions. A wonderfully spirited performance, enjoyed by every boy and ghoul in the theatre. Tickets are still available, but to be in with a ghost of a chance of getting one, you better hurry! Just what you need to take you into Halloween.

"The Addams Family" will be residing at Repton's 400 Hall Theatre until Saturday 28 October.