Tuesday, February 13, 2024
The London Palladium
If ever there was a performer perfect for the role of Addams Family matriarch Morticia it’s Michelle Visage.
The former Seduction star turned ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ legend took to the stage for two nights (and one matinee) only at The London Palladium, starring alongside Ramin Karimloo as Morticia’s husband Gomez.
In a story centred on the culture clash that ensues when couple’s daughter Wednesday bring’s her strikingly ordinary new boyfriend and his parents over for dinner, the plot is notably thin, but laugh out loud comedy and catchy songs more than make up for those shortcomings.
Visage flipped between letting loose one liners and leading musical numbers with soaring vocals, proving that 35 years since the US band released its debut album ‘Nothing Matters Without Love’ (1989), she remains in fine voice.
With a season of ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ under her belt – along with a stint with Steps for Heartbreak In This City – she delivered on the dance moves in equal measure, especially during a fiery tango with Karimloo during the final act.
The leading man, it must be said, stole the show with the most indisputably impressive vocal from the ensemble, proving the perfect pairing for Visage, while national treasure Lesley Joseph got one of the loudest applauses from the crowd when she emerged on stage for the first time as Grandma.
Staged more as a concert than a theatrical spectacle, the scenery was minimal and the sets stripped back, and the sets stripped back, placing the action front and centre with the focus on the performers and their delivery – a refreshing change from the often-overblown West End production values.
Wednesday’s infatuation with her beige beau still didn’t make much sense but it did highlight the quality of the comedy and musical aspects of the show which, thanks to a superb cast, made for an enjoyable evening.
