Everyone knows the story of Buddy the elf who travels from the North Pole to New York City to find his human father and save Christmas spirit. And just like the 2003 film starring Will Ferrell, this production has bags of festive jollity with just the right amount of wry cynicism to make it not cringe worthy.
Simon Lipkin stars as Buddy and gives a wonderful performance. He’s earnest, silly, funny and sweet and is a real joy to watch. Georgina Castle (Jovie) is a brilliant melting ice queen and sings one of the best songs in the show, ‘Never Fall in Love (With an Elf). The Hobbs family: Buddy’s biological dad, Walter (Tom Chambers) his wife Emily (Rebecca Lock) and their 12 year old son Michael (Logan Clark at this performance) are all great. Chambers is the classic overworked New York dad who believes work is far more important than Christmas, but by the end he’s fully embraced not just his family, including Buddy, but everything about Christmas. Lock is warm and kind as Emily and Clark is definitely one to watch.
There are no weak links in the rest of the supporting cast. Particular stand outs are Kim Ismay as Deb, Hobbs’ long suffering assistant and Dermot Canavan as the Macy’s store manager. The ensemble dance brilliantly and perform Matthew Skylar and Chad Beguelin’s witty score with aplomb.
This is a fabulous production that will leave even the most hardened cynic feeling “Sparklejollytwinklejingley!” Catch Elf at the Dominion Theatre until 7th January 2023.
