Elf The Musical

Elf The Musical

Book by Thomas Meehan and Bob Martin

Music by Matthew Sklar and Lyrics by Chad Beguelin

Performed by Exeter Little Theatre Company

On Friday 13th December at The Barnfield Theatre, Exeter

Directed by Pip Hill

Musical Director – Simon Carter

Choreography – Samantha Landy

An open stage greeted the audience as they entered the auditorium showing a stage painted in light blue with white snowflakes and a large snowman sat staring into the audience. Set, stage right, was Father Christmas study with his fireside chair, log burner (lit), bookcase and stool on which is a ‘Buddy the Elf Book’ used by the ‘main man’ to narrate from. Stage left was set with a 2D painted tree and a wooden bench. The stage had four exits and entrances allowing the cast to move large stage props on and off easily plus doors from downstage right and left. This set was well built and cleverly designed by the company for the Barnfield Theatre’s smaller stage, with superb use of the cyclorama, showing a New York Skyline and a sparkly star cloth for differing scenes throughout the performance. Great stage props such as a large white movable iceberg for Buddy to travel on, four large trucks designed as office desks for Greenway Press and shop counters for Macy’s, father Christmas’ golden and red sleigh, North Pole signs and so much more. The snowman’s head was used to great effect as a huge bowling ball used to knock of over the elves as bowling pins. Having such little room backstage to store large props I congratulate the stage manager, stage crew and cast for their incredible ability to negotiate these, on and off stage. The performance moved seamlessly.

This show was impressive throughout and cast well. Elf or ‘Buddy’ was played by an incredibly talented actor. His performance was full of energy from start to finish. With a clear tone and very musical voice, he expertly handled every  number with light and shade and emotion throughout. His interactions with his fellow actors showed the quality and believability of his acting. So watchable and such a lovable ‘Buddy’. This part is, of course, central to the production however it was underpinned by an excellent ensemble and the various supporting roles. The Elves, dancing on their knees, through ‘Happy all the Time’, Tiara and Charlie worked well together in this number. Father Christmas/Mr Greenway changing from kind Santa to a ‘Grinch Greenway’. Sweet and kind Mrs Christmas, Chadwick’s and Matthew’s enthusiasm and need to keep their boss happy. I loved the fake Santas’ in ‘Nobody Cares About Santa’ and Macy’s Elves, Store Manager and Buddy in ‘Sparklejollytwinklejingley’.

Walter Hobbs, Buddy’s real dad, surprised to know he has an elf as a son, gave a natural and believable performance of a stressed-out manager who has put his job before his family. His duet with his wife, Emily ‘In the Way’ was superbly acted and sang well. Emily Hobbs was portrayed by an actor with a delightful voice and showed her frustration with her husband but also her nurturing protectiveness toward their son, Michael. A gorgeous young actor played Michael. A young man who instinctively knows how to act and sings with confidence. The duet between Emma and Michael, ‘There is a Santa Claus’ was portrayed beautifully and brought a tear to my eye.

In Greenway Press we met the very positive Deb, secretary to Walter, having a continuously positive attitude and a strong Bronx accent. This character was played by an actor with clever comic timing who made the part her own and had the audience in stitches. Macy’s store introduces us to the overbearing manager who believes Buddy is a spy from HQ. Terrific acting role for this actor, who has a natural ability to make people laugh. We were crying with laughter watching his interaction with Buddy and the Macy’s elves. Then there is Jovie, a store elf who is a little skeptical and admired by Buddy. With a stunning voice of pure quality as she sang ‘Never Fall in Love with an Elf’, this actor was just lovely and gave a polished performance.

Every member of the ensemble deserves a mention. They provided a wonderful sound together and performed in various guises throughout, such as a hot dog stand seller, jogger, on subway, Macy perfume girl, Juggler, unicyclist and those on roller skates to name a few. This was a fast-paced show and needed various quick changes for the ensemble which they carried off without issue.

The choreography created by Sam Landy was just exceptional from the cast dancing on and off the desk trucks, the cast members on roller skates depicting the iconic Rockefeller Centre Rink, New York and the exciting tap number performed by the adult ensemble and a young nine-year-old tapper, Ruby Smith. This production was enhanced by the addition of the two young teams of actors. I watched Team Jingle who were all confident actors and performed with huge enthusiasm, constantly acting and singing with energy and emotion especially as Santa’s elves. The sound was exceptional off and on stage. An orchestra of nine accompanied the company under the baton of Simon Carter producing a powerful sound yet well controlled by the sound engineer in partnership with the personal mics of the actors.  Without sound and lighting engineers we would be lost. I loved the lighting design for this show with good use of pink and blue downlights from the start, dimmed stage lights as Father Christmas tells Buddy about his mom and dry ice and subdued lighting in iceberg scene and skating rink. Clever back lighting of the Cyclorama when the NY cut-out is used and yellow stage lights used as Father Christmas flies off in his sleigh. Great job by Blue Thunder Sound.

Costumes, and there were a huge number of them, were perfect. Well done to Fiona Sewter, Pip Hill and Linda Adams who worked very hard to bring colour and reality to the stage.  A quality costume for Father Christmas especially his beard and wig and Buddy’s costume of green velvet and fur trimmed suit with sparkly, glittery buttons, yellow tights and curly-toed black shoes.  Debs’ red jacket,  black and white dress and 1980’s curly wig, Santa’s elves in both red and green fur edged outfits with black belts, white tights, hats with bells and  NY ensemble in coats, hats, gloves.

It is always a difficult yet exciting assignment as a Director when planning the show. Finding your cast can be  a challenge but Pip Hill has done a sterling job by casting an amazing group of people in this production. She has paid attention to detail during rehearsals and it showed throughout every performer on stage. This was uplifting, hilarious and poignant at times with a message of how family and friends are far more precious than money and prestige.  Having not ever seen the show or watched the film, I enjoyed every minute of this production and would have loved to have seen it again. However, it was sold out! Understandable really.

My congratulations to the production team, cast, back stage crew, stage manager, lighting and sound team and the front of house team, with special thanks to Tracey Bennelick, for her warm welcome. And as always, huge thanks to the chaperones. The audience left smiling, having enjoyed a performance of real quality.

Lyn Burgoyne (Noda rep District 5, Mid and East Devon)

 

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