As an NSTA Representative, I was lucky enough to attend Suffolk One Sixth Form College’s production of The Addams Family on Friday 21st November 2025, which proved to be a joyful, spooky, and impressively polished celebration of student talent.
The Addams Family is a comedy based on the beloved characters created by Charles Addams, featuring music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa and a book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice. The musical follows the bizarre yet charming Addams clan as they face a crisis: the dark-hearted daughter Wednesday has fallen in love with a seemingly “normal” boy, Lucas Beineke. When the two families of the young couple meet for a fateful dinner, chaos, secrets, misunderstandings, and plenty of kooky antics ensue. It’s a story about love, acceptance, and embracing the beautifully strange parts of ourselves – perfect themes for a student production filled with creativity and heart.
At Suffolk One Sixth Form College, the magic began before the show even started. Upon entering the auditorium, the audience was greeted by eerie décor draped around the seating, instantly setting the tone for the creepy fun ahead. Cobwebs, flickering lanterns, and carefully crafted graveyard props created an immersive Addams aesthetic, and the subtle haze combined with atmospheric lighting gave the room a ghostly, otherworldly feel. Everything about the preshow environment said, “Welcome, if you dare…”
What made the experience all the more impressive was discovering that the set, along with many technical elements, had been designed, created, and managed by the college’s own pupils. From intricate set pieces, to cleverly coordinated lighting and sound cues, it was clear that Suffolk One fosters an inclusive, hands-on environment, where learners are given real opportunities to shine in every aspect of theatre-making. The production felt like a true ensemble effort, both onstage and off.
Leading the cast with charm and charisma was Lewis as Gomez Addams, whose comic timing was impeccable. With every raised eyebrow, flourishing gesture, or heartfelt confession, he had the audience completely in the palm of his hand. Vocally strong with natural stage presence, he embodied the “triple threat” label with ease. Paired with Honor as Morticia, the two created a captivating and believable partnership. Honor delivered a beautifully nuanced Morticia – poised and darkly deadpan – and her vocal performances were consistently impressive. She maintained the character’s iconic deathly coolness while still revealing moments of warmth, especially in her scenes with Gomez. Together, their chemistry lit up the stage, particularly during their dance sequences, which were executed with grace and flair.
As Wednesday and Pugsley, Lily and Scar were equally compelling. Their sibling dynamic felt authentic, full of affection, irritation, and quirky competitiveness. Scar’s Pugsley was delightful, capturing the character’s morbid sweetness and mischievous devotion to his sister. Lily’s performances of “Pulled” and “Crazier Than You” were highlights of the evening; energetic, vocally stunning, and filled with character. You could feel the audience sit forward, eager for every note, and there was a collective buzz afterward, the kind that marks a performer with real presence and promise.
The rest of the Addams household delivered incredible performances of their own. Ian as Lurch brought unexpected comedy with every slow-motion movement and deep rumble of sound. Eve as Uncle Fester charmed the audience with whimsical oddity, especially in Fester’s fourth-wall-breaking moments. Bella’s Grandma was full of eccentric energy and quick-fire humour, providing some of the evening’s biggest laughs.
Wednesday’s love interest Lucas was played with warmth and sincerity by Ayden, who convincingly portrayed a boy willing to embrace the weird and wonderful for the sake of love. His parents, played by Damien and Honey, created an excellent contrast to the Addams clan; uptight, anxious, and hilariously out of place. Their dynamic helped highlight the show’s central theme: every family is odd in its own way.
A special mention must also go to the Ancestors, Ensemble, and Dancers, who elevated the entire production. Not only were they visually striking – with their ghostly makeup and haunting movement – but they committed fully to individual character choices, enriching every scene they graced. The ensemble numbers were a real strength of the show, and the production team cleverly crafted moments that showcased the talent of their dancers and supporting cast. One particularly memorable example came during Gomez’s touching number “Happy/Sad”, where dancers portrayed younger versions of Wednesday in a series of flashbacks. The sequence added emotional depth and helped create a tender, heartfelt moment between father and daughter.
Suffolk One Sixth Form College delivered a production that was funny, spooky, polished, and full of heart. It was a testament not only to the performers’ talent but to the dedication of the staff and pupils behind the scenes. From set construction and technical artistry to the thoughtful direction that allowed every cast member to shine, this was a triumph the entire college community should be incredibly proud of. This was a truly unforgettable show that left the audience feeling creeped out – in exactly the way The Addams Family should!
National School Theatre Awards
@schooltheatreawards
