Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Something creepy and kooky, mysterious and spooky and altogether ooky is coming to the Mudgee Town Hall Theatre.
On a very wet and cold afternoon inside the Mudgee High School Performance Centre, I watched a dedicated group of students and teachers rehearsing, painting, singing and organising their production of the Addams Family.
Rebecca Goldsmith, Head Teacher of Creative and Performing Arts at Mudgee High School is directing the production, her first ever time in such a role and something she sees as a massive personal opportunity.
"It's been very busy. But it's been amazing because I have a really good team around me. You know, I've got some teachers here that are really experienced in this," she said.
"We were rehearsing on a Sunday and I've got staff members coming in here with drills and things - finalising props, and it's just all coming together really well. Yeah, challenging but [they're an] amazing team, so it's gone fairly smoothly.
"It's a big team effort to get this up and running."
Also making news in Mudgee:
While we talked, the room was a hive of activity. Students were rehearsing their lines and songs, getting their comedic timing just right while others worked on the sets, getting them ready in time for the show's debut this week.
Some might not realise that a production like this is not taken as a class, rather its the students that put their hand up to participate.
"t's all voluntary. So last year, when we cast it they all had to try out for their roles. A lot of these students also do Mudgee Performing Arts, and they just do as they like it, so there's a lot of crossover there."
Lachlan Day and Sarah Gatley are playing the iconic Gomez and Morticia Addams respectively. Between them they are old hands at performing on stage and say they are up for the challenge.
"My first ever musical I was about seven or eight years old. And then I've done tapes, I can't even count how many I've done," Sarah said.
"I would say the most interesting thing - personally - I find is I've never acted with an accent before and it does ruin my voice. But I do enjoy it a lot," Lachlan said.
"We're able to go into a more of a dark humour sort of place and able to go into satire," Sarah said. "It's very enjoyable being able to do that sort of thing instead of just like a kiddie musical."
Playing the kooky couple means a chemistry between the actors is essential, and as fate would have it, they're both well-suited.
"We've known each other since preschool. So we've been friends for a long time," Sarah laughed.
Tickets are now available from 123tix.com and showtimes are:
- Friday, June 18 at 7pm
- Saturday, June 19 Matinee at 2.30pm
- Saturday, June 19 at 7pm