Between 26 April and 4 May this year, over 100 cast and crew members graced the Aikman stage with a riveting rendition of The Addams Family. Audiences enjoyed a delightful tribute to Charles Addams’ iconic characters, with Director Nick Waxman (Head of Drama) drawing inspiration from Addams’ original quirky sketches.
Visually, the staging and costumes paid homage to the classic black and white aesthetic of the 1960s television series while cleverly incorporating bursts of colour to symbolise the eccentricity of the Addams lineage. This colour contrast symbolises the family’s distinctiveness in a conventional world, mirroring their approach to life where the bizarre becomes the norm. In contrast, the Beineke family, as the narrative’s outsiders, are envisioned through a lens of pop art and traditional American preppy silhouettes.
Set design proved equally impressive in its vision, transforming the stage into a dynamic tableau that transitioned from sombre gravesite to spectacular mansion. Props brought the show to life and kept the audience guessing with the inclusion of ‘jigsaw’ magic tricks (sawing young Pugsley Addams in half), and the dramatic descent of a giant moon from the ceiling.
Behind the scenes, the process of bringing the sets to life was a meticulous and collaborative effort that began well over a year in advance. The creative team (Nick Waxman, Nicole Smith, Candice Anderson, Emma Ford and Matthew Sanderson) initially met to discuss the dramatic vision for the show and brainstorm possibilities.
“This was then refined over a number of weeks and some external providers were engaged to determine what was possible in our space,” said Nick. “We created mood boards, gathered inspiration images and combined ideas to create unique but cohesive props, costumes, sets, makeup and choreography.”
Central to the production’s success was the cast’s interpretation of the beloved characters, particularly in key scenes such as the introspective ‘Pulled’, where Wednesday’s inner turmoil was brilliantly portrayed by both casts. This decision to employ a double cast not only showcased the depth of talent within the School community, but also provided a unique opportunity for multiple performers to bring their own interpretation to these iconic roles. Each evening truly was a unique experience.
Nick noted, “We strive for industry standards in our productions, creating a professional-level experience for our students.
“My thanks and admiration go to Alexis (Year 11) for working with two different casts over six nights, and ensuring each show was dynamic, energised and nuanced. What a delight!
“Likewise, I am very proud of Ruby (Year 11) for managing the dance numbers when some of the cast were unwell.” His gratitude extends to the whole cast for working so hard to make this fabulous show a success.
When asked to summarise the show in one sentence, Nick said, “It was inspiring and fulfilling seeing these developing performers rise so spectacularly to deliver such an energised, funny and heart-filled show.”
Looking ahead, auditions were recently conducted for the 2024 Senior School play, the Australian premiere of Was & Will Be, a First Nations Anthology. Written to be performed by actors from any background, this work aspires to provide opportunities for non-indigenous performers to share, present and celebrate First Nations stories. Developed with support and guidance from established Indigenous playwrights, this show is a first of its kind. As it is a series of ‘open scripts’ without specified characters it can be played by 10 or 100 actors, and we look forward to seeing our Senior students on stage once more in August!