Carrick-on-Suir Musical Society members get into character for The Addams Family

Carrick-on-Suir Musical Society is this week putting the final touches on preparations for its annual show – The Addams Family - that opens its six night run at the town’s Strand Theatre next Monday, October 31.

The musical based on the famous cartoon family with a penchant for the ghoulish and macabre promises to be a night packed with comedy, music and dance with an enormous effort put in by Carrick MS to recreate the ghostly, gothic appearance of The Addams Family and their surroundings.

The striking photographs (above and below) of leading cast members dressed in costume at Gurteen de La Poer Castle in Kilsheelan to promote the show are a foretaste of what audiences can expect to see at the Strand Theatre next week.

Carrick Musical Society Chairman Caolán Deehy-Power, who dons a bald cap and fat suit for his portrayal of Fester in the show, thanked the castle’s owners Gottfried and Renate Helnwein for opening their home to them for the photoshoot during which they received a tour of the historic mansion.

The artistry and talent of Carrick Musical Society's backstage team members responsible for make-up, hair, costumes and the set will rival the stage performers as the stars of this show.

Carol Knox from Kilkenny is the show’s make-up artist while Carrick MS member Vicki Treacy is in charge of the hair styles and wigs for the cast of over 50 performers.

In addition to the principle cast members, they have to do the make up and hair of the supporting ancestors dressed as characters ranging from Sherlock Holmes and Marie Antoinette to Laurel & Hardy.

“We have worked it out that the cast need to be arriving backstage at least two hours before the show,” said Caolán of the huge task involved in getting the performers dressed and ready for the stage.

The Musical Society’s in-house costume team of Breda Butler, Elaine Walsh and Anna Maria Deehy have created most of the show’s costumes. Caolan says they have been working since the start of the year on the wardrobe.

John O’Donoghue is the designer of the set with Ben Hennessy its painter.

Padraig Sheehan is the production manager and Andrew Holden from Waterford is directing the show.

Other key backstage team members are musical director Fergal Carroll , chorus master Eamon O’Malley and choreographer Keith Dwyer-Greene who have all put in many hours getting the cast ready for the production.

The lead roles are filled by a mix of Carrick Musical Society’s veteran and young stage performers with some outside talent thrown in.

Eoin Sheedy plays Gomez while Sandra Power plays Morticia. Liadhain O’Shea is Wednesday and 12-year-old Evan Boland, the youngest principle cast member, plays Pugsley.

Caolán Deehy-Power is Fester while Neill Bourke fills the shoes of Lurch. Irene Malone makes a welcome return to the Strand Theatre stage as Grandma Addams.

Other principle cast members are 16-year-old Cormac O’Donovan from Tipperary Town who plays Lucas Beineke, Michael Raggett, who plays Mal Beineke and Jordan Freeman, who plays Alice Beineke.

This is the second year in a row Carrick Musical Society has chosen a musical comedy for its annual show.

“We are all excited about the show because it’s nice to do another comedy and this one is completely different to last year’s show - 9 to 5. It’s great to be able to bring these iconic characters to life,” said Caolán.

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He reported ticket sales have been very strong but a limited number of seats are still available, particularly for the first few nights of the production. Curtains open at 8pm each night and the final show will be on Saturday, April 5.

The Strand Theatre’s box office is open on Wednesday, March 26 from 11am to 3pm and Thursday, March 27 from 2pm to 4pm for anyone wishing to book tickets.

You can either drop into the box office or call the theatre at (051) 645050. Tickets can also be purchased online via www.ticketsource.eu/strandtheatre