Elf - The Musical (Salford Lowry)
Bringing the Will Ferrell movie to the musical theatre stage for another run, this is obviously a popular one at Christmas and is a great alternative to pantomime in order to still enjoy that Christmas Spirit which this story tells us is rapidly running out and important to power Santa's Sleigh (now that animal rights have truncated the use of reindeer).
Normally in the lead role of Buddy the Elf is the multi-talented Ben Forster but, at this performance he was ably replaced by the equally talented Colin Burnicle with a totally elfish performance. Starring opposite as would be girlfriend Jovie is the stunning Liz McClarnon, making an indelible mark with a stellar performance of the touching song 'Never Fall in Love (with an Elf)' a point I'm sure Liz will never have to make again but, her voice is stunning.
Buddy of course isn't an Elf, he's a human who by a Dickensian twist found himself growing-up at the North .Pole with Santa (played immaculately as every Santa should be by Louis Emerick). Buddy's father is successful New York publisher Walter Hobbs played by the brilliant Joe McGann, you can't help liking Walter even when he is being quite nasty to Buddy, you get the feeling that deep down he really likes his long lost and rather strange son.
Jessica Martin adds another awesome singing voice and perfect characterisation as Walter's now wife Emily, her interaction with Riley White as her son Michael Hobbs is a joy to behold (maybe the adage 'never act with children or animals’ from W.C. Fields isn't so accurate after all).
Highlight for me is the scene were all of the part-time Santa impersonators, bemoan how 'Nobody Cares About Santa' any more, Graham Lappin's intensely comic portrayal of the under pressure Store Manager really makes this a gem of a scene.
Mix together the storyline, the setting, some skating and the fact that Christmas Spirit is revitalised by Buddy along with his new family and Director/Choreographer Morgan Young has created a piece of perfect musical theatre for the season which runs at The Lowry, Salford until 14th January 2018.
Book Here
Normally in the lead role of Buddy the Elf is the multi-talented Ben Forster but, at this performance he was ably replaced by the equally talented Colin Burnicle with a totally elfish performance. Starring opposite as would be girlfriend Jovie is the stunning Liz McClarnon, making an indelible mark with a stellar performance of the touching song 'Never Fall in Love (with an Elf)' a point I'm sure Liz will never have to make again but, her voice is stunning.
Buddy of course isn't an Elf, he's a human who by a Dickensian twist found himself growing-up at the North .Pole with Santa (played immaculately as every Santa should be by Louis Emerick). Buddy's father is successful New York publisher Walter Hobbs played by the brilliant Joe McGann, you can't help liking Walter even when he is being quite nasty to Buddy, you get the feeling that deep down he really likes his long lost and rather strange son.
Jessica Martin adds another awesome singing voice and perfect characterisation as Walter's now wife Emily, her interaction with Riley White as her son Michael Hobbs is a joy to behold (maybe the adage 'never act with children or animals’ from W.C. Fields isn't so accurate after all).
Highlight for me is the scene were all of the part-time Santa impersonators, bemoan how 'Nobody Cares About Santa' any more, Graham Lappin's intensely comic portrayal of the under pressure Store Manager really makes this a gem of a scene.
Mix together the storyline, the setting, some skating and the fact that Christmas Spirit is revitalised by Buddy along with his new family and Director/Choreographer Morgan Young has created a piece of perfect musical theatre for the season which runs at The Lowry, Salford until 14th January 2018.
Book Here
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