Elf the musical

What better way to immerse yourself in the festive season than to travel to the North Pole and have Santa tell you a story about a very tall Elf, how he arrived at his home and the journey he takes to be repatriated with his real father whom the Elf Buddy finds to his horror, is on the ‘naughty list’.

This much-loved well-known story which although based around Christmas deals with some tough adult issues and situations, needs someone with great skills and vision to create a show to enhance the tale and you are extremely lucky to have a fantastic production team.

Set and lighting design are managed by Andy Martin. He knows the restrictions of your playing area and designs sets which are created to be revolved or turned, added to by flying or rolling items in and out, adding authentic props which are expertly moved by the cast and stage crew to create the illusion of inside/outside sets. 

The opening stage was bedecked left and right with illuminated red and white striped flats, the playing area looked like it was under snow and an armchair and tv screen were set on the upper layer stage right and just in case we were not aware what the show was there was the iconic ‘Elf’ logo above the stage.  Hanging from the ceiling were giant baubles and glitter balls which when lit added sparkle to the scenes. Santa’s workshop was constructed with decorated benches which were on runners and a wooden cabin wall with windows behind. Structures on runners were cleverly used, lit with different colours to portray New York city, supports for Macy’s door and Chung Fu’s, the Greenway office building walls, walls of the Hobbs apartment around the New York skyline and the outside of the skating rink. It was fascinating to watch how the stage crew and actors depicted the different scenes. Finally, to Central Park with the piece-de-resistance of the wonderful flying sledge.

The lighting design was excellent and well delivered with great use of colour and effects which enhanced each scene. The radio mics were set at the correct level so all the text, lyrics could be clearly heard.

It was a joy to have a live orchestra to play for this performance it added so much to the show. They were able to work with the cast to bring every nuance out of the lyrics and were expertly managed by your Musical Director Gary Hawkins who had obviously spend much time with the players to ensure their chords, discords and harmonies were on point the singing was tiptop.

Katy O’Brien your choreography had again used her considerable skills to train your team to create excellent routines. She has an innate ability to bring the best out of every member on stage but is probably not often asked to produce dances for kneeling elves and principals on roller skates.

There were some fantastic production numbers during the musical especially ‘Happy all the Time’, ‘Sparklejollytwinklejingley’, ‘A Christmas Song’ and the finale which were all upbeat but I’d like to make a specil mention to the cast in ‘Nobody Cares about Santa’ at the Chung Fu Palace which a more downbeat feel and shows Buddy why everyone is now on the naughty list, the choreography is this number added to the overall feel.

The costumes were as expected in this company well fitting and of excellent quality from Santa and Mrs Claus, kneeling elves and supervisors, New Yorkers, office staff and Macy’s employees. The finale outfits back at the North Pole in red, silver and white were lovely to see although I would have liked to see white elastic rather than black on Buddy’s trousers. I would like to make special mention to Buddy’s Day outfit it was great to see he was attired in a more traditional costume. The make up, hair and wigs where used added to the overall effect.

Opening the show and starting the story was Santa. Your actor showed all facets of the character, had some great ad libs, moved well and had a great singing voice. Mrs Claus sang clearly and ensured Santa had everything to hand.

An integral part of Santa’s workshop was the ‘Elves’ their first routine on their knees with beaming smiles was brilliant, all their movement was synchronised and the discords were clearly heard making ‘Happy All the Time’ a great number.  Charlie and Tiara were the named elves in the workshop The move from the upper level to main stage by Charlie and Tiara was cleverly achieved before you realised. Charlie ensured the presents were correct constructed and Tiara appeared to be the staff welfare person. They both depicted their characters convincingly and Tiara showed her distress when she realised Buddy had heard what she said.

In the title role and holding the whole show together was Buddy the Elf. Your actor was brilliant he must have been exhausted at the end of each performance! He had it all, an excellent actor, an impressive singer, fantastic comedy timing, compassion, endless energy but mostly within his childlike persona an earnest honesty that encompassed his reaction to every other person he met. A tour de force performance!!

Jovie is a complex character to play, she has to transform from the tough cynical New Yorker to the softer more accepting of help and affection woman as Buddy breaks her barriers down. Your player demonstrated both sides of her character with aplomb and on top of that had a wonderful singing voice. ‘Never Fall in Love with an Elf’ was delightful.

The actor depicting the hardnosed business man Walter Hobbs was convincing. It is difficult to demonstrate drive and annoyance on stage without just shouting but your player did. It was good to see the softer side of him at the end.

Emily Hobbs is an excellent mother to Michael and a dedicated wife who tries everything to make her family unit successful. She is accepting of Buddy especially when she knows the truth, much to her husband’s annoyance. Your player had great stage presence and characterisation and a wonderful singing voice and her duets with Michael ‘I Believe in You’ and ‘There is a Santa Claus’ were fantastic.

The young man portraying the Hobbs son Michael did a grand job. His speaking voice was a little quiet to begin with but he grew in confidence during the performance and he sang with feeling. He demonstrated well his desperation to have a better relationship with his father and delight with his new brother.

Mr Greenway the cranky boss of the whole company comes on stage demanding things are done his way, now! No one knows better than him, your actor showed this with a commanding stage presence.

Mr Hobbs secretary Deb was played with great stage presence. She had an efficient manner, sang and danced with confidence. The other members of the office team Chadwick, Matthews and Sam created very clear characters who were doing everything they could to come up with ideas and ensure their boss was happy. They all spoke with clarity, sang and danced well.

The manager at Macy’s was sure that when this adult size Elf appeared he was a spy from head office. Your performer spoke clearly, sang tunefully, had good comedy timing and tried to keep his employees in line. Buddy is so excited when the manager tells him Santa is coming to the store but when the Fake Santa appears a rumpus ensues. The actor in the red suit was a bit rough around the edges, showed an over-the-top personality and was not shy about dealing with Buddy. The young man playing the boy demonstrated that there are no small parts in a musical.

The last member of the named cast was the reporter with a confident personality. She was determined to maintain her professional façade when in Central Park reporting on the strange happens but she became less sure when Buddy told her what was written about her.

This show wouldn’t have been possible with your outstanding ensemble who took various roles throughout the performance. They were elves, policemen, security guards, New Yorkers, Fake Santa’s a plenty, a Chinese waitress, employees at Macy’s, office staff, carollers, diners at the Tavern on the Green, skaters and skate attendants. I hope I haven’t missed an occupation out. They all took on these roles with such energy which was transmitted to the audience.

As I realise, I have said before shows of this quality cannot be presented to the public without an outstanding production team, backstage crew, set and lighting design, technicians and front of house. All must be congratulated for the skills they all use at the Devonport Playhouse.

The audience definitely loved the production as could be heard and seen by the standing ovation and applause and so did I. Many thanks for the invitation.

Disclaimer 

Any observation made by the reviewer can only be based on what he sees at the performance in question.  The reviewer may have received information in advance of the performance and it is inevitable that his assessment will be affected by that knowledge. 

The NODA Representative’s intention is to give an objective critique of the overall production and in particular, the performance.  It should be remembered that any review of this nature can only be objective as far as the techniques used during the performance observed.  Any criticisms expressed may not have been valid at other performances and are only made to encourage higher standards in Amateur Theatre. 

 It is hoped that the audience’s appreciation of your efforts will have given everyone a lift and encouraged you to greater achievements in the future and that the observations made by the reviewer will prove helpful in improving future productions.

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