Whether you are a fan of the 1930s cartoon, the 1960s TV series, the 1990s movie, or the 2010 Broadway musical comedy, there's no denying the appeal of that kooky, spooky clan known as The Addams Family. So it's no wonder those plucky types down at The Pump House Youth Theatre couldn't wait to get their hands on the recently released script.

Although closely following the original characters from Charles Addams' drawings, the musical version brings in a new dynasty, the Beineke family, to drive the plot forward. Lucas Beineke is madly in love with Wednesday and the story follows what happens when weird girl meets normal boy and plans a get-together with their respective in-laws to be.

What could possibly go wrong? Well dad Gomez is put into a total quandary when his little princess asks him not to tell her mum Morticia about her plans to get wed. Meanwhile brother Pugsley worries that Wednesday won't have time to torture him any more so he steals a potion from grandma that will bring out the dark nature of whoever drinks it. Although intended for his sister's lips, the brew accidentally ends up being swallowed by Alice Beineke and the boundaries between the macabre and the mundane start to slide.

From a visual perspective the show was inspired with brilliant costumes and make-up, ingenious props and projections, plus a wonderfully imaginative set by Karen Rhodes. The songs were well executed too, especially Pulled, Just Around The Corner and The Moon and Me, which were beautifully augmented by strong choreography and a talented band of musicians. 

Given that I saw the show on opening night, it was hugely gratifying to see Ellie Barrett give such a stellar performance as Morticia Addams singing, acting and dancing in fine style. Lewis Jackson and Shannon Richardson were well matched as the young lovers, and Tom Scarborough put in a sensitive performance as Gomez. As for laughs, the gong must go to Jono Pamplin as Uncle Fester, it was good to see the comic potential he showed in Timeless given legs in a lead role.

A thoroughly entertaining piece of theatre made even more memorable by actors of considerable pedigree - the Pump House family should be proud.