The Addams Family
Director
The official school edition of the massive Broadway and West End hit, performed by an ensemble of fifty youth actresses aged 11-16.
Cast & Creatives
St. Augustine's Priory Senior Production (Years 7-12)
The Addams Family - School Edition
Performed by an ensemble of fifty students.
Two casts alternated the ten lead roles, and three students performed Wednesday.
BOOK BY Marshall Brickman & Rick Elice
MUSIC & LYRICS BY Andrew Lippa
DIRECTOR Neta Gracewell
MUSICAL DIRECTOR Dr. Geoffrey Higgins led a LIVE BAND OF SIX MUSICIANS
PRODUCER Ms Claire Brown
CHOREOGRAPHER Valentyne Fauste-Gay
STUDENT CHOREOGRAPHERS Scarlett Inglis & Ayla Mae Ellard
LIGHTING & SOUND DESIGN Grant Murphy
STUDENT SET DESIGNER Shriya Patel
STAGE MANAGER Ms Louise Hales
PROJECTION DESIGN Shachar Tzin & Neta Gracewell
Additional set design, prop making, stage assistance, and marketing supported by a team of students.
Special thanks to all the teachers and staff that supported the production with set construction, costume making, fundraising, back stage help, rehearsal supervision and admin work.
Wednesday Addams has fallen in love with Lucas, and now it's time to introduce the families. While she knows that the Beinekes might not get along with the quirky Addams, she begs her family members to try their best and "act normal". They are outraged, yet promise to do their best - but what they don't know, is that Wednesday and Lucas are already engaged... The young couple the support of Gomez, who is struggling to keep a secret from his beloved wife, Morticia.
How messy is it going to get?
Will love triumph?
And what does "normal" mean, anyway?
Presented at:
The Questors Theatre (2025)
About the process
The Addams Family was more than a musical.
Indeed, this was my first ever musical. It was also the biggest project I have ever led - with over seventy (!) people operating under my management. But more than that, it was an exceptional, privileged educational journey. I am extremely grateful that my first experience in the UK education system took place at St. Augustine's Priory. With full support from the Head of Drama, and Headmaster of the school, and the wonderful collaboration with the Musical Director and Choreographer, I had freedom to create the show I wanted - while working with an incredibly talented cast.
Apart from being my first musical, and biggest theatrical project to date, it has also been the longest one, with over six months of planning and rehearsals.
Some bits from The Director's note I wrote in the program...
The Addams Family is a quirky family – they love the darkness, embrace death, celebrate everything that is “crazy”, and even have a zombie for a butler!
Their ability to welcome contradictions as part of life, and to be so expressive with their emotions, teach us all about ourselves.
🌛
“Define normal” Grandma says, when Wednesday begs the family to “act normal” before her secret fiancé and his family arrive for dinner. Well, as we discover in the play, there is no such thing as a “normal” family, as much as there is no such thing as a normal rehearsal process!
🌚
While they negotiate exams, sports matches and everyday school lives, for a few hours a week The Addams Family cast and crew were asked to dive into a different world and make sense of it. With 50 girls in the room, every new choreography we learned or scene we blocked was indeed a wild – and very fun - ride!
🌜
From the very beginning, I was utterly impressed by the breadth and diversity of talents of pupils at the school. Auditions were indeed a tough challenge for Ms Brown, Dr Higgins and me, especially when so many of the girls demonstrated professional performance skills.
🌝
There is nothing more rewarding than witnessing young people discover their creativity. Coming from the independent theatre industry, and being used to working with professional adult actors, I found myself amazed by the girl’s talents and deeply moved by their generosity in sharing it.
🌟
It was a pleasure to see them take ownership of their work, demonstrate responsibility and dedication, offer ideas in the rehearsal space, and collaborate with one another so wonderfully. The girls’ ability to show support for one another and root for each other has been incredibly heartwarming. I am so very proud of this team.
It has been an inspiring journey to direct them.
