Act Reviews 2024 / 2025 Season

made in house) made all the characters recognisable. Lighting was like wrapping paper giving colour and depth to the drama. Despite a few naughty Elves getting into the sound mix, a great big well done to you all. The creative team knew what was required to bring this festive musical into the hearts of the audience. Their response with the “clapometer“ going off the scale, displayed their seal of approval. The essence of the piece was captured musically and dramatically with sparkling choreography. Buddy’s story is narrated by the big man in the red suit, Father Christmas. Daniel Mellor delivered everybody’s expectations of Santa; it was a very pleasing character study. There is a lot of responsibility for the actor playing Buddy, the Elf. The show stands or falls on the performance. The role was tailor made for James Goodman, he became the character. James headed into all of Buddy’s adventures with wide eyed innocence and boundless enthusiasm and energy. He finds love with Jovie which is the key to our hero Buddy finding himself. Rachel Mellor convincingly delivered the love interest with strong vocals “Never Fall in Love” in particular. On the Elf’s journey we meet the Hobbs family who are Buddy’s Dad, stepmother and stepbrother who are not interested in Buddy. Jon Gardner played the grumpy workaholic Walters Hobbs who is on Santa’s naughty list. Emily Hobbs was delivered as the all American wife/mum we have seen so many times on TV with aplomb by Stephanie Niland. Michael Hobbs (Rowan Hayward) did nothing but irritate with his

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