With joyful performances, seamless set transitions, and engaging audience interaction, ELF THE MUSICAL is a feel-good, festive experience that leaves audiences brimming with holiday cheer.
This year sees 21 years since the hit film ELF was released, becoming an instant Christmas classic. Now a new sixth touring production of the hit musical is traversing the nation bringing Buddy and his special brand of Christmas cheer to the masses and bring it he does in all its candy cane, sparkle, tinsel decked glory. Brought to you by father and son team Jon and Jordan Conway – and more of him later – this production has it all.
This is simply THE production you want to see if you need an infusion of Christmas cheer. It is sugary without being schmaltzy, sentimental without being mawkish and most of all it is a complete roaring ride of fun. The sets are effective and multi-faceted, taking the audience from the north pole to New York in a heartbeat with seamless transitions. The ensemble musical numbers are like old school Broadway. The audience participation and interaction is a golden ticket to enjoyment. The only slight issue is that on the odd song the lyrics could do with being louder but that is the only fault you could find.
The supporting cast dance and sing their way from tap, roller skating, aerobatics and the oddest experience of synchronised Santas you will ever see. They are foot perfect.
The main cast are perfect; Barry Bloxham as Walter Hobbs returning for his sixth tour as the object of booing, Kelly Banlaki as Jovie, the object of Buddy’s affections with a amazingly powerful voice. Not to be neglected are Dafydd Lansley and Natalie Gray as Matthews and Debs, the two central employees of Hobbs who inhabit their roles with a true sense of vaudevillian slapstick. Charlotte Dalton as the long suffering Emily Hobbs and, for this performance, Indy as their son Michael round out the cast who provide a cosy blanket around Buddy.
Turning to Jordan Conway as Buddy there is not much to add. He interacts with the audience, he ad libs, he even giggles, he sings and dances and even flies. All of it effortless and all of it note perfect. No wonder he has received rave reviews in both the West End and on Broadway for his talent.
Then there is the music. Songs need to fit into a musical – after all breaking into song is not a normal occurrence in the real world – and these do. There are some absolute masterpieces here from the pens of Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin hitting the ground running with Christmastown, Nobody Cares About Santa and Never Fall in Love to name just three.
ELF THE MUSICAL achieves something very special; it transports you. Whether to the magic of the north pole or back to your own memories of Christmas as a child. You may enter the theatre feeling a little like Scrooge with the incessant advertising so prevalent in the modern festive season but you will leave floating on air, wanting to hug strangers and have snow fights. A modern day feel good effect that Dickens and Scrooge would be proud of. As Buddy says, “The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear” and this musical spreads it like thick frosting on a cinnamon cupcake. Joy to the World! Buddy is here.
ELF THE MUSICAL runs at the Palace Theatre, Manchester, until 17 November 2024.
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