Download the new logos for the programme and poster competition

Elf the Musical

Author: Julie Petrucci

Information

Date
18th November 2022
Society
Campaign Amateur Theatre
Venue
The Maltings, Ely
Type of Production
Musical
Director
DeeDee Doke
Musical Director
John Dolby & Alexandra Middleditch
Choreographer
Julie Collins
Producer
Jane Crussell
Written By
Book by Thomas Meehan & Bob Martin Music by Matthew Sklar Lyrics by Chad Bequelin

Elf the Musical is based on the 2003 film Elf. We are introduced to ‘Buddy the Elf’ and his quest to find his true identity.  Buddy was an orphan who mistakenly crawls into Santa's bag of gifts and is accidentally transported to the North Pole. With Santa's permission, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father and discover his true identity.  Things don’t start well but Buddy is determined to win over his new family and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas!

Unfortunately, just like Buddy, things did not start well for either CAT or the audience. A technical hitch meant the show was twenty minutes late starting whilst problems were sorted.  The Maltings has a wide stage and full use was made of it by Director DeeDee Doke.  The staging though simple was multi-purpose and with the exception of Central Park was used in various ways for all scenes.  Props were added for the Greenway Publisher’s office, Macy’s and the Hobbs apartment. The stage crew’s efforts to change each scene were carried out reasonably swiftly.  Lighting cues had their issues but sound was good and set at an appropriate level.  In the costume department Ishbel Babbs rose to the challenge of finding numerous Santa and Elf costumes as well as either finding or making one to fit a 6ft 7in Buddy.  

The thirty plus cast worked hard with most of them taking on two, sometimes three, minor roles.  The Youth Ensemble acquitted themselves well overall with, once again, several of them being called upon to make other small appearances.  Clarity of projection by some in minor roles was problematic at times particularly when actors were upstage. Principal singers were strong and although vocally talents varied Musical Directors John Dolby and Alexandra Middleditch had done a good job on the ensemble pieces.  Whilst Julie Collins’ Choreography suited the differing talents of the cast well it came over slightly under rehearsed in a couple of numbers. 

We enjoyed nice strong performances from the Hobbs family Justin Allum (Dad Walter), Mary Wade (Mum Emily) and, in an impressive performance, young Kitty Board as their daughter Michelle.  This role was an excellent vehicle for Kitty’s talents.  She is definitely one to watch.  As a family the three worked well together as a team.

Nice performances in the Office too from Deb (Claire Geraghty), Chadwick and Matthews (Nigel Moorhouse and Jack Wright) and Mr Greenway (Trevor Babbs). 

As the girlfriend that Buddy does not know how to woo, a sad person without support of friends but wanting to give, Eleanor Thompson as Jovie gave a sympathetic and supportive presentation. There are two sides to ‘Jovie’, the tough, cynical New Yorker and the softer side we see as the show progresses.  Eleanor showed both sides well.  Her tongue–in-cheek ballad “Never Fall In Love With An Elf” was a delight.

In the title role and at the heart of every scene was the larger-than-life, exuberant Buddy the Elf.  Huw Davies as Buddy gave a tour-de-force performance. His realisation of Buddy, his energy, his enthusiasm for Christmas, his friendly manner to all, his disappointment at not being an elf and his need to be a part of a family all came over in his performance.  All this and several songs to boot.

Elf the Musical is fast becoming an (early in this case) Christmas favourite with societies and one can understand why.  We left The Maltings to the sound of several young, and not so young, audience members singing us on our way with “Buddy the Elf”.  Thank you CAT Ely for the invitation to join you and for your warm and friendly hospitality.

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.

Other recent show reports in the East region

Funders & Partners