Thursday, 20 November 2025

Elf The Musical (Aldwych Theatre)


5 WEEKS UNTIL CHRISTMAS!!

Buy tickets for an afternoon, evening or both of magic at the Aldwych Theatre here (external link)

Ever since I saw Elf the Musical in London in 2015, I've been a super fan of the show. I got to see it again in Salford as well as on Channel 5 one winter when they broadcast a taped performance of the show. In addition, of course I own the soundtrack as well the US Claymation musical special. It is why I was as giddy as a kipper when I heard it was returning for a tenth UK anniversary run in London this year (with a superstar new cast too) - and snapped up tickets straight away. Going to see a show where the songs are so embedded in my winter soundtrack is like going to see your favourite artist in concert where you are guaranteed to hear all the greatest hits. The returning production has all your favourite moments in, but - thanks both to the cast and updated staging - has enough new surprises to make you glad from head to mistletoe...
  • No Christmas Town! Buddy may belong there, but they've kept Happy All The Time as the big opening number. It has some of the lyrics revamped for the weary wit of Santa singing about the elves being happy all the time. Best line - "when they sing til they are blue-ish/Santa wishes he was Jewish"! Great start to the show - and, of course, the ensemble doing the elves do a phenomenal job dancing on their knees.
  • It was a thrill to have Joel Montague as Buddy (who I feel I only just saw in The Great Gatsby). He is a rather splendid Buddy the Elf - embodying the effervescent joy of the character (but also finding the nuance of the sadder moments). His energy never flags for one moment, making him a force of nature whose happy in-between bits are utterly contagious.
  • Commuting seems fun! I've always thought the lulling tilt of the underground lends itself to everyone on board giving some deep shoulder shimmy choreography; as World's Greatest Dad immerses Buddy in the world of New York City, it is one where dancing seems entirely appropriate - even frustrated commuter dancing...
  • ...same at the publishing company Walter Hobbs works at. The ensemble really sparkle by giving multiple spin off shows just in the texture of the background interactions. Of course, I was very invested in Jim (Danny Nattrass - I think!) dating The Boyfriend (Kyle Cox). There's a whole sitcom about the office staff to be made by people far cleverer and with more wit than I! 
  • Aled Jones debuted as a rather charming Walter Hobbs. He sure makes me want to dig out the 3 piece suit for work on Monday; but whose brusque manner is delivered in such a way that the transformation of the character later in the show is very believable. Rosanna Hyland is luminous as Mrs Hobbs, a wife still very much in love and just wanting the man she married back.
  • Sparklejollytwinklejingly is a glorious big production, expert dance number - complete with some rather ace tinsel jump rope choreography, dazzling footwork and enough Christmas spirit to power Santa's sleigh back to Vermont. The song is so ridiculously catchy and that routine so addictive that you expect Steps to release it as their Christmas single.
  • Think we had Samuel Sturge as Michael, who did a great job throughout. The two duets with Rosanna were both enchanting. I'll Believe In You bought out just the right amount of poignant melancholy, whilst There Is A Santa Claus was so sparkling with contagious glee that, if you didn't believe before, you did by the time the song ended.
  • Lucinda Lawrence was a bright office manager - she'd absolutely know about all those romantic relationships (and more) I've suggested for the spin-off. She led In The Way with a vibrant aplomb and just seemed so very likeable every time she glittered her way onto the stage.
  • Let's not forget the always fab Carrie Fletcher as jaded Jovie. Even broken relationship and disappointment was etched into her performance (though I can't say that watching Gilmore Girls without the heat on is a bad thing - Lorelei Gilmore is always warm enough to heat your home, particularly in the cost of living crisis)! Her cabaret style torch song, Never Fall in Love with an Elf was winterlicious. Surely it was her engaging performance that actually made it snow.
  • The restaurant/bar for unemployed elves and Santas could also have its own spin off musical or TV sitcom. Poor beleagured and battered Larry could easily lead a 6 episode Netflix show next Christmas. Santas - streaming on all devices in December 2026!
  • If you are not standing on your feet, applauding as ecstatic as if you had a special kind of hug (adults)/a theatre cafe Candy Cane milkshake (kids) and declaring I BELIEVE by that snow falling/Santa flying finale you may well be in the running to be the next Scrooge (so sleep with one eye open for those three ghosts). It is joyful AND triumphant.
**Ghosts of Christmas Past**
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