Elf the Musical

What an El(f) of a good musical to put on around Christmas time.

In the tradition of British pantomime, there are naughty giggly bits that sail over the heads of children,  but the story and charm are simple enough to amuse the little ones.

Based on the 2003 hit movie starring Will Ferrell – Elf the Musical has had several detours from the North Pole to Broadway and the West End, but is making its Australian premiere on the big stage of the concert hall of the Sydney Opera House.

The story is very cute. A big lump of a human ends up by accident in Santa land and is happy working making Christmas presents alongside his diminutive co-workers. They appear to dance and frolic in the workshop using the hilarious old theatrical puppet trick of having actors use their arms as the elves’ legs.

This ideal life is interrupted when the news is broken that Elf is human and he needs to return to New York to meet his father, a frazzled CEO of a book publishing business.

The Concert Hall of the Sydney Opera House is not the kindest space for a musical as there is no capacity to drop in or bring on a set. This challenge is largely overcome by the placement of the orchestra above the cast and surrounding them all with a large AV screen.

Projections colour in the action with it being most effective during a fast-moving adventure out in the snow. The backdrop magically transforms into New York and so forth when it needs to, but the use of a snow dissolve image is a little repetitive.

In the role of Buddy, Gareth Isaac has grabbed his first shot as a lead in a big professional musical with both of his big hands.  He’s goofy and lovable.

Simon Burke plays his father Walter Hobbs, who initially wants nothing to do with his son when he turns up in Elf gear in his New York Empire State Building office.

According to aficionados this role is scripted a little softer than the movie.

The lead females Jovie (Brianna Bishop) Buddy’s romantic interest and Emily Hobbs (Katrina Retallick), his surprised stepmother, have their moments to shine.

Revelling in the comedy was Lara Mulcahy as Santa, who begins the musical in front of the TV with a beer and delightfully sprinkles in some down under references to dilute what is such a New York centric piece.

The first act kind of telegraphs how the musical will end, but things are spiced up in the second act with a little romance and some more interesting songs.

One song about Christmas being over-rated and Santa being jaded, especially hit the mark.

The audience participation segment was also very funny.

So line up for mirth and a bit of Christmas cheer from a production that I wouldn’t be surprised is re-gifted at other venues around Australia in the years ahead.

David Spicer

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Photographer: Daniel Boud