The Addams Family

Canford School closed the Autumn term in spectacular style with a three-show run of The Addams Family on the Layard Theatre stage, a production already nominated for the National School Theatre Awards, often described as the “Oscars for Schools.”

Based on the beloved characters created by Charles Addams, with a book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice and music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa, The Addams Family explores themes of identity, acceptance, and the enduring bonds that define family. Canford’s talented drama pupils brought these themes to life with wit, energy, and remarkable stagecraft, delivering performances that captured both the eccentric charm and heartfelt warmth of the iconic Addams clan.

Although the family at the heart of the story may be unconventional, their steadfast loyalty and love serve as a powerful reminder that family is built on connection rather than conformity. At a time when society often leans toward uniformity, The Addams Family encourages audiences to celebrate individuality and seek understanding across generations and viewpoints. Its message - that difference should be embraced, not feared - feels more resonant than ever.

Behind the scenes, the production showcased the creativity and resourcefulness of Canford’s technical theatre team. More than six full rails of costumes were sourced entirely from the school’s costume stores, many repurposed and expertly adapted by the costume supervisor from garments used in previous productions. The set, crafted by the technical team, was constructed using recycled materials and saved offcuts, including fabric from the 2018 musical Les Misérables and flooring elements from this term’s production of Accidental Death of an Anarchist. This sustainable approach added another layer of ingenuity to an already outstanding show. Supported by an 11-strong, student-led crew and an impressive 317 lighting cues, the technical execution was as ambitious as it was flawless.

Director and new Head of Drama, Daniel McQue, shared his thoughts from his first Canford production:

The Addams Family was a thoroughly rewarding production to stage. The cast gave committed, entertaining, and often wonderfully funny performances, while the technical crew and band brought energy, skill, and creativity to every aspect of the show. Thank you to everyone involved for making this such a memorable and enjoyable school production."

The production received overwhelmingly positive reviews;

“The production left the audience laughing, gasping and cheering, reminding all of us that there is something special about embracing who you are, because when you are an Addams, being delightfully strange is simply part of the fun. Canford’s cast made us truly feel part of the family.” National School Theatre Awards – read the full review here:

National School Theatre Awards Review

“What an unforgettable production of The Addams Family by Canford School! The cast were perfectly chosen and delivered fantastic performances from start to finish. Everything about it was incredible: the stage set, the tech, costumes, choreography and of course the brilliant live band. I was genuinely blown away by the talent of everybody involved. A huge congratulations to everyone who took part.” Canford Staff member

Photos from the show are available to members of the Canford community on Canford Media (school login required) from the link below.