The cast of Elf The Musical at the Dominion Theatre, London. Picture: Mark Senior
Elf The Musical continues at the Dominion Theatre, London until 7 January 2022.
Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ✩
Want to kick off Christmas with the perfect night of family fun? Grab your tickets now. Elf The Musica is a sparkly-twinkly-jingly joy, taking all of the fun of the familiar film and jazzing it up with a fresh musical spin.
The show celebrates the sweet story of Buddy the Elf, who finds himself in New York looking for his father after being raised as an elf in the North Pole. The tale takes a turn for the worse when Buddy discovers that his father is on the Naughty List. However, Christmas spirit and familial cheer bring the story to a harmoniously happy ending.
Simon Lipkin’s endearing portrayal of Buddy the Elf provides a solid centre for the entire production, both in terms of vocals and the performer’s sheer likeable stage presence. Sadly, the writing of leading lady Jovie’s character is rather underdeveloped. To actress Georgina Castle’s credit, she shines every time she appears, particularly during her solo number ‘Never Fall in Love (With an Elf)’.
The technical aspects of the production, directed by Philip Wm. McKinley, are near flawless too, with an impressive, intricate lighting design (Patrick Woodroffe) that illuminates the wonderful sets (credit to Tim Goodchild). The Elves’ Toy Workshop and the Greenway Press Office are particularly well executed; they add a real sense of beauty to an intimidatingly large stage environment.
It must be said, however, that the real showstoppers are the ensemble. Through a combination of Liam Steel’s excellent choreography and an admirable energy from every single member of the cast, the entire production elevates itself to a whole other level. Rebecca Lock (as Emily Hobbs) and Logan Clark (as Michael Hobbs) must also be mentioned as absolute joys to watch on stage. Their mother and son duets are standout moments in the show and they provide both comic relief and a profound sense of the familial love that lies at the very core of this Christmas story.
Elf The Musical, in short, is an easy Christmas watch, with enough thinly veiled innuendo to satisfy parents who aren’t particularly interested in children’s musicals otherwise. If you’re feeling like giving the local pantomime a miss this year, this is an excellent alternative.
Saskia Wraith
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