At a time when live theatre continues to face significant challenges, it’s wonderful to see companies like Hayes Theatre Co., together with Josh Robson Productions, continuing to champion inventive musical theatre in Sydney. Hayes has earned a reputation for producing high-quality, intimate productions that make the most of their unique performance space while introducing audiences to fresh interpretations of beloved works. Their latest production, The Addams Family, brings Charles Addams’ iconic characters to life in another ambitious addition to Sydney’s musical theatre scene.
Based on the iconic characters created by Charles Addams, The Addams Family centres on Wednesday Addams, who has fallen in love with the wholesome Lucas Beineke. The problem? Lucas comes from an ordinary family, and Wednesday has invited them to dinner with one impossible request for her father, Gomez – keep the relationship a secret from Morticia. What follows is a collision between two wildly different families as secrets unravel and chaos inevitably ensues.
Julia Robertson’s direction makes effective use of the Hayes’ intimate performance space, ensuring the action never feels confined. However, much of the show’s established humour seemed to be replaced or supplemented with newly added comic business that didn’t always land. While fresh interpretations are welcome, many of the biggest laughs written into the musical felt diluted. There was also an overall sense that the production hadn’t quite settled. Scene transitions occasionally felt awkward, comic timing was inconsistent, and the whole evening carried a slightly unrehearsed quality that made it feel clunkier than expected.
Shannon Burns’ choreography was vibrant, inventive and perfectly suited to the space, creating lively production numbers without ever feeling overcrowded. Under Zara Stanton’s musical supervision and Zander Gaal’s music direction, the score was delivered with confidence. Harmonies were tight, the orchestra supported the cast beautifully, and the vocals remained consistently pitch-perfect throughout the evening.
Dann Barber’s design provided a contemporary interpretation of Charles Addams’ original cartoon sketches while still honouring their gothic charm. The production wisely relied on its ensemble of Ancestors to maintain momentum, with the hardworking cast handling the majority of scene changes while seamlessly becoming an integral part of the larger musical numbers.
The contrast between the wonderfully eccentric Addams family and the uptight Beinekes remains the heart of the show. Teagan Wouters delivered a delightfully neurotic Alice Beineke, Rory O’Keeffe’s Mal was appropriately rigid, and Alexander Tye’s sincere Lucas provided the perfect foil for Wednesday’s wonderfully unconventional world.
Among the Addams clan, Elliot Aitken’s imposing Lurch, Deborah Galanos’ delightfully eccentric Grandmama, Jenny Guigayoma’s determined Wednesday and Georgia Oom’s mischievous Pugsley each embraced the family’s unique brand of madness. Erika Heynatz offered a deliciously wicked Morticia, although the role could have benefited from a little more Old-Hollywood glamour and seductive elegance, favouring an angrier matriarch instead. Marcus Rivera brought warmth, passion and plenty of Spanish flair to Gomez, making his devotion to his family both believable and endearing.
The standout performance of the evening belonged to Evan Lever as Uncle Fester. As both narrator and instigator, he effortlessly held the production together, finding every opportunity for comedy while guiding the audience through the story with infectious charm.
In a country where the future of live theatre remains uncertain, productions like this are an important reminder of why our independent companies matter. Hayes Theatre Co. and Josh Robson Productions continue to create opportunities for artists while bringing musical theatre to Sydney audiences in an intimate and accessible way. If we want theatre like this to continue thriving, the best thing we can do is get out, buy a ticket and support it.
– The other Daniel Craig
Daniel Craig is an international performer and has established himself as a trusted theatre specialist on the Sydney Arts Scene. While he understands the technical side of theatre, Dan writes for the everyday theatregoer (unlike some of those more prominent publications). When not in the audience, he loves to travel the world and try new gins.
The Addams Family The Musical runs for 2 hours 30 minutes (with a 20-minute interval) and plays at the Hayes Theatre through 9 August 2026. Tickets are available through the Hayes Theatre Company.
Disclosure: The Plus Ones were guests of SLIP Publicity
Image credit: James Reiser
