South Shields theatre on hunt for new talent

The Customs House, South Shields, is looking for young actors, between the ages of eight to 21, to perform in the musical production of The Addams Family, as applications to this year’ss Summer School open.

Created by American cartoonist Charles Addams in 1938, the Addams Family has been a success on both TV, film, and most recently as a musical comedy.

It is this musical version which will be adapted by the Customs House for this summer’s production.

Director Gareth Hunter said: “The Addams Family is a great show full of catchy tunes and comedy moments. People may not know the show, but they know the characters and the quality and talent that the Summer School has become known for.”

Gareth again links up with choreographer Hazel Pude - having previously worked together during the Summer School production Legally Blonde, which was named Best Amateur Musical in the North East Theatre Guide Best last year.

Characters needing to be cast are Gomez and Morticia Addams, and their children, Wednesday and Pugsley, close family members Uncle Fester and Grandmama, their butler Lurch, the disembodied hand Thing and Cousin Itt.

Gareth said: “We are looking forward to seeing lots of familiar faces and hopefully new ones at the auditions.”

The Summer School runs between 10am until 5pm at the Customs House from Monday, July 23, until Sunday, August 12, and will feature five performances over three days.

To take part, download an application form from The Customs House website www.customshouse.co.uk and return it with two passport-sized photographs no later than Monday, April 16.

There is a participation fee, but some funded places are available.

All applicants will be invited to attend an audition on Sunday, April 22, from 10am to 5pm.

Morticia - the real head of the eccentric family - has been portrayed by Carolyn Jones in the original TV series, Anjelica Huston in The Addams Family and The Addams Family Values and Daryl Hannah in The Addams Family Reunion.

The Addams Family Musical opened on Broadway in 2010, starring Nathan Lane as Gomez and Bebe Neuwirth as Morticia, which was followed by a North America tour in 2011 and a UK tour in 2017.