Elf Jr - The Musical

What a fabulous production of Elf Jr – The Musical by the junior members of Goole Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society.  Even before the opening number began we entered the seasonal Christmas world as the audience walked through a grotto like entrance into the theatre.  Such fabulous scene setting and dedication to move us from a balmy summer evening in Goole to Winter in New York, via a short trip to the North Pole.

Opening in the North Pole with Bailey Dodson as a jolly Father Christmas, we get to meet a wonderfully cheerful group of elves hard at work preparing for Christmas.  The rendition of ‘Happy All Time’ was super and even the youngest cast members entered into the spirit of Christmas in Santa’s Workshop.   It is in the workshop that we are introduced to Buddy (played by Francis Garrod) a somewhat large elf, who looks decidedly out of place with his tiny counterparts.  Francis was a wonderfully warm and friendly Buddy, who maintained the naivety and joyful persona required for this part throughout the show.  For a six foot 3 inches young man Francis did a great job of portraying an excitable elf – a super performance!

When Buddy discovers that he isn’t really an elf, but a human with a father he sets off to New York to find Walter Hobbs, who has no knowledge of the son currently being brought up in the North Pole.   Ashton Gormley as Hobbs showed the mean-spirited businessman, who has no time for his family and concentrates only on his high-flying job.  Great vocal clarity from Ashton who maintained the New York accent throughout.  Emelia Anderson-Wright was a very sincere Emily Hobbs, who takes her new stepson, Buddy to her heart and tries to help him.  There was a lovely sentimental duet, ‘I’ll Believe in You’ between Emelia and Arthur Dukes playing Michael Hobbs.  Arthur was great as the young son desperate for his father’s affection.

Sent away from his father’s Office Buddy is left in Macy’s Department Store (the Christmas section!) and it is here he falls in love with shop floor assistant Jovi, beautifully played by Gracie Dukes.  Gracie gave a wonderful rendition of ‘Never Fall in Love (with an Elf)’ and her strong vocals and wonderful voice really shone through. Her movement in her solo was perfect for the number and she also managed to keep in character despite a larger-than-life elf having fallen for her.

There were a range of other supporting roles and every performer worked hard to be their character and to be a strong ensemble who took us from the North Polce to New York with Elves, Shoppers, New Yorkers and Carollers singing and dancing their way through the show. Congratulations to MD Rachel Flynn for her work to support these young vocalists and for conducting throughout.

Costume was just right for the show and the colourful elves were a delight.  The lighting and sound were all strong and the young performers coped incredibly well with a slight technical hitch – showing that their work on stage craft through additional workshops was definitely having a positive impact.  The use of projections was very impressive. The set, which had been designed in house, was moved efficiently by the stage crew and the many scene changes did not hinder the pace of the show.

Overall, this was a super production that entertained the appreciative audience. Congratulations to Director & Producer William L Knight along with everyone involved both on and off the stage, including the officials and committee whose dedication to supporting the development of the arts in the community is admirable —you should all be incredibly proud of what you have achieved.

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.