THEY'RE creepy and they're kooky...mysterious and spooky.

From the makers of Jersey Boys comes the brand new musical comedy The Addams Family, set to grace the stage in Southampton next week.

The UK and Irish premiere of the show will visit Mayflower Theatre from Tuesday until Saturday July 29.

The show is set to star former Eastenders and Guys and Dolls actress Samantha Womack as Morticia, alongside funnyman and Hairspray star Les Dennis as Uncle Fester and Carrie Hope Fletcher (Les Miserables, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang) as Wednesday.

Wednesday Addams, the ultimate princess of darkness, has grown up and has a shocking secret that only Gomez knows; she’s fallen in love with a sweet, smart young man from a respectable family! Now, Gomez Addams must do something he’s never done before — keep a secret from his beloved wife, Morticia. Everything will change for the whole family on the fateful night they host a dinner for Wednesday’s “normal” boyfriend and his parents. All the usual clan are present - Uncle Fester, Lurch, Pugsley et al.

Samantha Womack, who last appeared at Mayflower Theatre in South Pacific, told the Daily Echo: "It's very much a family show that will really entertain people and send them home with a light and happy feeling. It's just that kind of piece.

"The Addams Family is really ingrained in American history. I remember watching it a repeat of the TV series in the 80s and I loved it. I especially loved the wistful quality of Carolyn Jones, the actress who played Morticia; it was as if she was trapped in another age. Regal but wistful is how I see her.

"I'm so looking forward to going back to Southampton. The theatre is lovely and the audiences are always really enthusiastic and responsive. I'm also keen to see more of the two and surrounding areas this time."

The original Broadway production of the show also toured the US and international productions have been seen in Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Japan, Australia, Germany and the Czech Republic.

Directed by Matthew White (The Producers, Top Hat), the show, based on the characters created by Charles Addams, comes to the UK with book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, the creators of multi-award winning Jersey Boys, and music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa.

Addams' original stories were adapted into two Hollywood films in the '90s, The Addams Family and its sequel The Addams Family Values, which starred Anjelica Huston, Raúl Juliá and Christina Ricci.

Tickets: 023 8071 1811 or visit mayflower.org.uk