Based on the popular film of the same name, Elf: The Musical brings the magic of the 2003 festive favourite written by David Berenbaum to the Concert Hall at the Sydney Opera House.
Elf is the tale of Buddy, an orphan who is mistakenly taken to the North Pole and consequently raised by elves. Upon learning he is in fact human, he travels to New York to met his father, “passing through the seven levels of the candy cane forest, through the sea of swirly-twirly gum drops, and then walking through the Lincoln Tunnel.”
Adapting such a well known film into a musical is no small task. The character of Buddy has become so synonymous with actor Will Ferrell, it is difficult to imagine anyone embodying the same child-like joy. Gareth Isaac does a remarkable job as the titular character, his exuberance and presence a good match to the original. However it is Lara Mulcahy as Santa who really steals the show.
It is Mulcahy’s quick wit and fourth wall breaks as the narrator that provide some of the loudest laughs. In particular, whipping out an iPad to check the naughty list, while explaining he and the elves are snap, snap, snapping all day on Snapchat. It is these small, modern updates that help to endear the story of Elf to a new generation.
Other stand-out performances include Simon Burke as Buddy’s unsuspecting and perpetually grumpy father, Walter Hobbs and Brianna Bishop as the love interest, Jovie. The casts vocal performance is exceptional, as is the perfectly choreographed dance routines. There is something particularly comical about seeing a group of disgruntled Santa’s dancing together with such precision – a highlight of the first act.
Directed by Eric Giancola, with musical direction by Vanessa Scammell, the inclusion of a live orchestra situated above the stage made this a musical feast. The songs were catchy and Christmassy, providing the ideal soundscape for Buddy’s adventures.
Perhaps one of the most remarkable aspects of the production is the clever use of screens and digital projections as the staging. From the North Pole, to the streets of Manhattan and inside the offices of Greenway Press, the audience is transported seamlessly.
At the risk of sounding like a Grinch, Elf: The Musical navigates a fine line between annoying and endearing. It is a performance that simultaneously exudes the Christmas spirit while shoving it down your throat. While this is the same tricky terrain navigated by the film, the addition of musical numbers is that little extra splash of syrup that may encourage the cynical among us to boycott the festive season altogether.
But if Christmas is your spirit animal and the smell of candy canes is what gets you up in the morning, Elf: The Musical may just be the Christmas wish you’re looking for.
THREE AND A HALF STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
Elf: The Musical will play at the Sydney Opera House until 29 December 2024. For more information and to buy tickets head to the Sydney Opera House website.
Reviewer attended on 20 December 2024.
Photos by Daniel Boud
