Cairns Choral Society provides ‘frightful’ entertainment with Addams Family Musical

Despite the pre-show warning of a ‘frightful’ evening, I still screamed when jump-scared by a member of the ensemble waiting in the wings to freak out the audience. READ THE REVIEW.

The Cairns Choral Society has begun showing its latest production, The Addams Family Musical, with a limited run of shows at the society's Greenslopes Street hall. Mara Turner plays Morticia and Craig Eggins plays Gomez in the Addams Family Musical. Picture: Brendan Radke

Despite the pre-show warning of a ‘frightful’ evening, I still screamed when jump-scared by a member of the ensemble waiting in the wings to freak out the audience.

From themed cocktails to spooky decorations, the tone was set from the moment I walked through the Cairns Choral Society hall to witness their production of The Addams Family Musical.

For those unfamiliar with the plot, everyone’s favourite goth-girl Wednesday Addams has fallen in love with the mundane Lucas Beineke from a “happy-go-lucky” Ohio family – the total opposite to the morbid Addams family.

The Cairns Choral Society has begun showing its latest production, The Addams Family Musical, with a limited run of shows at the society's Greenslopes Street hall. The Addams Family Musical stars actors Craig Eggins as Gomez, Mara Turner as Morticia, Linc Jenkin as Uncle Fester and Sarah Stewart as Pugsley. Picture: Brendan Radke

If you think your family gatherings get awkward, just be glad you’re not an Addams or a Beineke.

The curtains opened to the iconic theme song, smoothly transitioning into the opening number.

Eggins and Turner were fabulous in their respective roles, but one of the breakout stars of the show was Linc Jenkin as Fester who gave 10/10 to his performance and really shone throughout the night.

The Cairns Choral Society has begun showing its latest production, The Addams Family Musical, with a limited run of shows at the society's Greenslopes Street hall. Linc Jenkin plays Uncle Fester in the Addams Family Musical. Picture: Brendan Radke

Ivy Tuxworth did well as Wednesday, balancing the brevity and emotion the plot demanded, all while maintaining the character’s mostly blank-faced disposition.

Some highlights were Harald Webber as Mr Beineke, Lucas’ unimpressed father, being constantly surprised he was following the choreography – like his body was moving and singing of its own accord. It was most amusing.

Alicia Clark, as Alice Beineke probably had my favourite vocals of the night and delivered a stunning performance.

The Cairns Choral Society has begun showing its latest production, The Addams Family Musical, with a limited run of shows at the society's Greenslopes Street hall. Griffin Hardie plays Lucas and Ivy Tuxworth plays Wednesday in the Addams Family Musical. Picture: Brendan Radke

Wednesday and Gomez’s relationship was very sweet with Eggins and Tuxworth delivering relatable and poignant father-daughter moments.

Griffin Hardie was endearing as a jittery yet charming Lucas Beineke, but he really shines in Crazier Than You in act two, and you start to see what Wednesday sees in him.

In all, there was fun tension between the characters and I admired Eggins’ commitment to Gomez’s Spanish accent – a hard feat to keep up while singing and dancing.

You could tell the actors put a lot of effort into getting everything right, despite some nerves, and it was a very enjoyable performance.

Originally published as Cairns Choral Society provides ‘frightful’ entertainment with Addams Family Musical