Friday, March 29

Tag: Elf The Musical

Matthew Wolfenden stars in ELF at London’s Dominion Theatre
NEWS

Matthew Wolfenden stars in ELF at London’s Dominion Theatre

After devoting almost two decades to Emmerdale, TV star Matthew Wolfenden will leave the hit soap opera and return to the stage by first starring as Buddy in the smash-hit musical adaptation of ELF at London’s Dominion Theatre for a strictly limited season until 6th January 2024. He will be joined by Tom Chambers, who reprises the role of Walter Hobbs. They join the previously announced Georgina Castle as Jovie, Rebecca Lock as Emily Hobbs, Nicholas Pound as Santa, Kim Ismay as Debs and Dermot Canavan as Store Manager. Ben Lancaster (POLICE COPS: The Musical, Edinburgh Fringe & Southwark Playhouse) will alternate the role of Buddy at certain scheduled performances. Photo: Matt Crockett Also in the cast are Rhys Batten (The SpongeBob Musical, UK Tour), Evonnee Bentley-Holde...
<strong>Elf the Musical – Dominion Theatre</strong>
London

Elf the Musical – Dominion Theatre

Ask anyone what their favourite Christmas films are and Elf will inevitably be up there. Buoyant Will Ferrell, singing and silliness and just the right amount of schmaltz to give you the festive feels - it ticks all the boxes. So as a self-confessed enthusiast for all things Yuletide and a long time musical fan, I was made up at the chance to see Elf the Musical. To say festive cheer has been in scant supply this year would be an understatement, and so with a month to go until the big day I was absolutely ready for Buddy the Elf and friends to send some joy my way. And there was much joy to be had. The staging is top notch; with ever shifting back drops, moving scenery and a sleigh that gives Back to the Future’s Delorian a run for its money, the action shifts seamlessly from Santa’s N...
<strong>Elf The Musical – The Brindley, Runcorn</strong>
North West

Elf The Musical – The Brindley, Runcorn

Centenary Theatre Company’s Director Dan Grimes must have thought all his Christmas’s had come at once when Dean Callow walked in an auditioned for the part of Buddy! As all I can say is WOWSER as I am sure Dan Grimes did too, what a fabulous charismatic actor Dean Callow is, he has as much energy as one human being can possibly have without spontaneous combusting! Dean Callow was definitely on fire on opening night, unfortunately the programme does not tell me anything about Dean (or any of the other cast members), so I do not know any of his previous theatre credits etc. However, I would recommend this show on Dean Callow’s performance alone as he is the perfect Buddy the Elf, who will keep you entertained throughout the evening with his Elf moves, perfect comedy timings and pitch perfe...
Christmas cheer comes to Runcorn next week
NEWS

Christmas cheer comes to Runcorn next week

Centenary Theatre Company are about to move into the Brindley Theatre in Runcorn to present their latest production Elf the Musical which opens next week. North West End UK sat down with their musical director, Simon Pickup to find out how the company choses, rehearses and ultimately stages such a big production. Centenary Theatre Company was formed in 1901 and has showcased theatrical talent in Warrington and the surrounding areas ever since. When did you first become involved with the company? I was invited to musically direct CTC’s production of “Annie Get Your Gun” in 2013, and following that show I joined as a member and have now MD’d 7 shows for them, and appeared in 3. Your show this year is Elf the Musical being staged at the glorious Brindley Theatre in Runcorn, tell us ...
Elf The Musical – Sheffield Lyceum
Yorkshire & Humber

Elf The Musical – Sheffield Lyceum

What a wonderful way to start the festive season, with more cheese than you would see on any Cheeseboard at Christmas! Elf - The Musical is based on the original film Elf written by David Berenbaum, staring Will Ferrell as Buddy the Elf. The musical version does include a few changes from the film script, but its essence and Christmas spirit is very much alive. However, I did miss the snowball fight in the park though! (One of my favourite scenes). If anyone is unfamiliar with the storyline, we follow the story of Buddy, who is brought up in Christmastown by Santa and his elves. After crawling into Santa’s sack as a baby, Buddy is mistakenly transported to the North Pole. We join the story as it becomes evident that Buddy has a few ‘special’ qualities that set him aside from the rest o...
Elf the Musical – Hull New Theatre
Yorkshire & Humber

Elf the Musical – Hull New Theatre

I once spent many hours one weekend, corresponding with an “elf”, via email. His name was Blodwit and he was helping me organise Santa letters for the youngsters in my family. Obviously, Blodwit was a mischievous Santa letter employee working from home, but I happily played along with him as the child in me wanted to believe he was real. Fast forward to Tuesday evening and I couldn’t wait to get to the Hull New Theatre to watch some of Blodwit’s relatives (maybe) in Elf The Musical. And judging by the many theatregoers wearing elf hats, I wasn’t the only one eager to get into the festive spirit. As the lights dimmed in the packed theatre the colourful stage setting, bedecked with 20ft-tall candy canes, left us in no doubt we were in Santa’s domain at the North Pole. As the “el...
Elf to bring Christmas cheer to Blackpool
NEWS

Elf to bring Christmas cheer to Blackpool

The hit Broadway and West End show ‘ELF – THE MUSICAL’, based on the Hollywood blockbuster movie, will bring some much-needed Christmas cheer to Blackpool this Christmas with a sleigh full of laughs and spectacle. This version is created by Jon Conway, who has produced numerous Summer shows and musicals in the town and will recreate the staging of his acclaimed arena spectacular tour. Jon says “Only Blackpool Opera House has a stage big enough to recreate the amazing visual effects we created for the supersized ‘Elf’ arena show, with an amazing flying sleigh over the audience, twenty feet high growing candy canes, a giant LED screen with Pixar style animated backgrounds and aerial stunts.” The part of Buddy The Elf, originated by Will Ferrell on screen, has been played in arenas for...