Stage: Elf The Musical Jr – Durban ICC (45 Bram Fischer Street)
– Performances at 11am and 2pm until December 29
(excluding Christmas and Boxing Day) –
REVIEW BY BILLY SUTER
HATS off to the ever-creative wizards behind Durban’s Young Performers’ Project (YPP) who, having hitherto only staged an annual mid-year youth musical, have now extended their reach and vision with YPP’s first festive season musical. They have done so in collaboration with the Durban International Convention Centre (ICC).
Let’s hope this becomes a regular December collaboration because the YPP works wonders by introducing talented local youth to share the world of theatre alongside professionals. Also, Durban needs more theatre over the holiday period, and most certainly one as fun and festive as this entertaining romp, inspired by the hit 2003 comedy movie of the same name.
The Elf musical premiered on Broadway in 2010 and was revived in 2012 and again this year. It played in London’s West End in 2015, then 2022, and has also been produced in various other countries.
Elf the Musical Jr is a fish-out-of-water tale which tells the joyful, amusing and heartwarming story of Buddy, a hyper-energetic, wildly expressive, ever-smiling human raised by North Pole elves. He was played in the film by Will Ferrell and is portrayed with much zeal, glee and a high-pitched voice in this South African premiere of the staged junior musical version by Nathan Kruger. I’ve never seen him better.
A YPP alumnus who was in such KickstArt theatre productions as Camelot (as Arthur’s effete son, Mordred), Into the Woods (Rapunzel’s prince), Aladdin (the title character) and Cinderella (Prince Charming), Kruger is perfect as bubbly Buddy, exuding great presence, in good voice throughout and a a nimble dancer too.
The plot centres on Santa encouraging Buddy to leave the North Pole to head for New York City to seek his birth father – a troubled children’s book publisher called Walter Hobbs (Iain Robinson), who is on Father Christmas’s ‘naughty list’ because he doesn’t believe in Santa. During Buddy’s quest, the show skips through catchy songs, fun choreography by Evashnee Pillay, loads of humour and moments of pathos.
Buddy discovers he has a stepmum and half-brother (Marion Loudon and the star of YPP’s Joseph, Kyran Taylor, both in fine voice), and he finds a love interest in a grumpy young woman, Jovie (a standout Grace McIlroy, never better), who works as an elf at a store. Buddy also gets to discover the true meaning of family, and not only gets to spread a little happiness generally, but help New Yorkers remember the true meaning of Christmas.
Presented on a large stage without curtains, in front of raked seating, the musical gets off to a good start with balloons being flung into the audience. The action then unfurls against a massive backdrop screen on which are beamed well-designed, partly animated visuals of everything from Santa’s elf workshop to New York’s Central Park, Empire State Building, Rockefeller Centre, Macy’s store and assorted offices and home interiors.
The production, directed at a brisk pace by Aaron McIlroy (with assistance from Lisa Bobbert), is presented without an interval and runs just over an hour. It features colourful costumes by the ubiquitous Kathryn Singery (and props by her and husband Dominic Singery), and is of particular note for fine musical direction by production manager and voice coach, Des Govender, who draws the best from her 40-plus cast members.
The musical has some fun supporting performances (Jenna van Eyssen is a real hoot as an extroverted receptionist who tells a very funny tale of a one-legged lad) and some really nice songs, highlights including a heartfelt duet by Loudon and Taylor titled I’ll Believe in You; Grace McIlroy’s sassy and amusing solo, Never Fall in Love with an Elf; and the catchy The Story of Buddy the Elf, involving Nathan Kruger and most in the cast.
The show is a slickly paced, tinselly treat that kept a smile on my face throughout. An ample audience at last night’s opening performance was also visibly enchanted, so spread the word that this is a production not only perfectly wrapped for the Christmas season, but deserving of support for the many rewards it offers.
Another plus is that a variety of light meals and snacks are available for purchase at stands in the festive, theatre foyer, so get there early and enjoy.
Performances are at 11am and 2pm until December 29 (excluding Christmas and Boxing Day).Ticket prices range from R250 to R300 and booking is at Webtickets.
.....SoSuterBill..... 