Friends of Pontardawe Arts Centre

Young Performers Shine in Class Act Theatre School’s Spooky, Joyful Production of The Addams Family

A Theatre School at the Heart of the Community

For years, Class Act Theatre School (CATS) has been a creative home for children and young people across the Swansea Valley. Their Saturday sessions build skills in acting, singing and movement, but just as importantly, they help students grow in confidence, make friends and discover the joy of performing.

Director Jill Williams explains that this ethos is central to everything they do: “Ensemble is key… of course we have to have lead roles to tell the story, but this production involved every child in a meaningful and positive way. That makes me happy.”

The school’s values — fun, inclusiveness, innovation and strong ensemble work — were evident throughout the production. Every student had a moment to shine, and the sense of teamwork on stage was unmistakable.

A Perfect Show for Young Performers

The Addams Family is a musical full of quirky characters, catchy songs and big comedic moments, making it an ideal choice for a youth cast. Jill had long admired the show: “I’ve always loved it — especially having grown up watching the black‑and‑white TV series. The music is exciting and the dialogue is well written, which isn’t always the case in musical theatre.”

The story follows Wednesday Addams as she falls in love with a “normal” boy, leading to a hilarious and heartfelt clash between two very different families. For the students, the show offered a chance to explore character acting, develop comic timing and tackle lively musical numbers.

One of the creative team’s early decisions was to give each Addams family member their own “clique” of ancestors — a choice that delighted the cast. “They LOVED it!” Jill recalls. “Wednesday had her Goths, Pugsley had the Pugsters, Morticia had her Molls… it gave everyone a real sense of belonging.”

Spotlight: Lacey Thomas on Becoming Wednesday Addams

Playing Wednesday is no small task — she’s one of the most recognisable characters in modern pop culture. For young performer Lacey Thomas, stepping into the role was both daunting and thrilling.

Lacey describes the moment she truly felt she had become Wednesday: “Learning the opening number, When You’re an Addams, was the first time I fully got into character. It felt like the moment we all came together and really became part of the Addams family.”

The role pushed her in new ways — from tackling big vocal moments to performing her first on‑stage kiss — but she found strength in the process. “I discovered I’m a lot more resilient than I thought. Even when things felt scary, pushing through was worth it. There’s nothing more rewarding than doing a show.”

Guided by a Dedicated Creative Team

The production was led by director Jill Williams, musical director Bethan Marks and assistant director Hayley O’Malley — a team whose experience and enthusiasm helped the young cast bring out the best in themselves.

Directing such iconic characters came with its own challenges. “There’s plenty of information to feed off,” Jill explains, “but we were careful to avoid caricatures. We needed to find the believable qualities so the audience could invest in the characters.”

The technical aspects of the show also required creativity. “The set is always a challenge,” Jill says. “But our amazing designer Jon Harris came up trumps again. Having a strong visual early on helps us all see the vision.”

Rehearsals were full of memorable moments, especially the annual three‑day launch weekend. “There’s a real buzz as the students explore the material,” Jill says. “Show week is also very exciting — seeing the set, lighting and costumes all come together. It definitely takes a team.”

Spotlight: What the Creative Team Wanted Students to Learn

The Addams Family may be spooky, but the themes at its heart are warm and universal. Jill shares the messages she hoped the cast would take away:

• Inclusiveness: “Not to judge a book by its cover.”
• Family and loyalty: “The Addamses may be ‘kooky’, but at their core is immeasurable love and high moral values.”
• Kindness and care: “We promote these values on and off stage.”
• Commitment: “It’s important to understand the responsibility of being part of a team.”

These values were reflected in the cast’s behaviour throughout rehearsals. Lacey recalls how supportive everyone was: “During show week especially, the cast were the best support system I could have asked for. Everyone helped each other.”

A Celebration of Local Talent

What stood out most was the pride the performers took in their work. From the smallest roles to the leads, every student contributed to a production that was polished, funny and full of heart.

Community support remains a vital part of CATS’ success. “We’ve been part of the community vibe for 27 years,” Jill says. “We love it when local people buy tickets just because they enjoy our shows.”

Productions like this do more than entertain — they give young people a platform to express themselves, build resilience and discover talents they may not have known they had.

Looking Ahead

With another successful summer production behind them, Class Act Theatre School continues to grow as a vibrant creative force in the area. The team is already looking ahead to their next major show: “Fiddler on the Roof in July 2026,” Jill reveals.

Their ongoing goal is simple: to keep nurturing young talent and encouraging students to dream big — whether that means progressing to drama school or simply finding joy and confidence on stage.

If The Addams Family is anything to go by, the future looks bright — and just a little bit delightfully spooky — for this dedicated group of young performers.

Fiddler on the Roof will be at Pontardawe Arts Centre in July. Get a ticket – if you can!