Elf: The Musical Reviews
Olivia from London, England
TOOK THE WIFE
This is my wife’s favourite film and she had never seen a west end show before. This didn’t disappoint! It stayed true to the movie without being too ‘samey’. All actors/actresses were amazing! And the actor that played Buddy the elf was very funny and great! I wasn’t disappointed and safe to say the wife was also very happy!
Iain from London, England
THE REVIEWS BELOW ARE NOT OF THE 2023 PRODUCTION. GO SEE IT!
As mentioned, the reviews below are of a previous production. This production is excellent. Great set, some fantastic dances and a full orchestra. The production values are great and the cast don't disappoint. Santa's sleigh flying is spectacular and a really magical moment for the kids. It's not the best show in the world, but that isn't the fault of the cast or the creatives on this production who have made the show about as good as it can be.
Kazash from London, England
FAB
Great show, brilliantly done. Well worth a watch. Some adult humour. Plenty of giggles and a great way to get in the Christmas spirit. If I had grandchildren I would definitely take them. Good seats near to the back of stalls and had fab view. Would definitely go again
Vic from London, England
UHM NOT FUNNY
Went yesterday left at half time prefer the movie, it was ok, definitely not slick, not memorable
Mark Flecknor from Northampton England
ELF
My wife and myself went yesterday 20/12 2023 we thought it was excellent enjoyed every minute,perfect start to Christmas for me
Louis P from London, England
AVOID - NOT FUNNY, AWFUL SONGS
I took my wife and 3 kids (6, 11, 13) to see this and we ALL left very disappointed. The main actor who played Buddy was irritating throughout. He tried to imitate Will Ferrell but did an awful job and it was probably unfair of the writers to approach his character in the same way. The songs were annoying and pointless. By the end it turned into a pantomime. The acting was atrocious (including Barry from Eastenders who played Walter with a dreadful accent). The best bits of the movie which would have guaranteed a few laughs (e.g. son of a nutcracker, the long burp, putting syrup and smarties on spaghetti) were not included. They mixed the story up slightly but forgot to make it funny or entertaining enough to warrant it. Only positive were the Santas gymnasts jumping around on the trampoline and pommel horse who were mildly entertaining. This is our favourite Xmas family movie and doesn’t age. I booked the tickets knowing it’s going to be a hard act to follow the movie. I was right.
Michelle Copeland from London, England
STICK TO THE FILM
Someone should let the creators of this shambles know that for a musical to be even marginally entertaining the actors should be able to sing.. that’s before we even get started on the terrible storyline. Kim Marsh singing one song wasn’t enough to make this bearable. My daughter actually fell asleep! I feel like I’ve been robbed. Take it off the stage. Diabolical.
Jess from London, England
BAD PANTO
Very low budget - expected a lot more for the prices charged. Just awful.
Claire from London, England
NOT WORTH £85 A SEAT!
We saw this yesterday and was left very disappointed! We left at half time because it just wasn't what we expected. The show itself wasn't great. The venue was far to hot and the cast/staff at the side of the stage were a massive distraction because they were in full view of where I was sitting. I left a review on Facebook and a cast member called Ryan Jupp left me a couple of messages telling me I should of stayed until the second half because it was magical! He then deleted his comments. I shouldn't have to wait until the second half to get a good experience! Overall it was very disappointing and I wouldn't recommend it. We love the film and will just be sticking to that in future!
Barbara from London, England
WASTE OF MONEY
Worst show I’ve seen, very disappointed and very amateur So overpriced don’t waste your money
from London, England
ALL THE JOY SUCKED FROM MY SOUL
Believe the reviews. Lazy hackneyed and cliché writing. Holy mother of God I was facepalming for the entire half I endured before walking out as did everyone else with no tiny children. Even leaving the security were laughing at how many people generally walked out. Good god. What a waste of money and life . Please close this dog dirt down
Billy from London, England
WORST MUSICAL I’VE EVER SEEN.
We walked out after 20 minutes. The set design was extremely poor and cheap looking. The lighting was below average. Very poor adaption of the film and annoying. Wouldn’t recommend
Harry from London, England
IF ONLY I COULD LEAVE 0 STARS!
Worst thing I’ve EVER seen. An experience that left me feeling anything but jolly. 3 of our party fell asleep. Overpriced Cheap staging. Unimaginative and flat. Main character was terrible. Pointless, long and boring songs. People leaving mid performance. No standing ovation. Avoid. Avoid. Avoid!!!
Scott from London, England
DISAPPOINTED
Couldn’t believe what I was seeing. Worst fake accents, terrible acting, boring, no story and just rubbish. All 3 of us fell asleep. First half went on far too long. Like they wanted to get it out of the way. The girlfriend and the mam were the best. The extras hardly had any role at all. At £60 a ticket with 2 shows a day this is taking £250k a day. I have seen much better local pantomimes. The end of the show is the only decent thing. Hardly any special effects. I really wanted to leave at the internal but I forced myself to stay otherwise I doubt I would have went to a show ever again. Second half was better, but seriously am I missing something?
Rosemary wall from Southampton, England
DON T WASTE YOUR MONEY!
We spent £270 on 2 seats and wish we hadn't bothered 22/11/2023 1430 show. It was that bad, we left at the interval, we ve seen many shows and have never ever walked out of a show until now. I am so disappointed as we travelled to London especially to see this. I DO NOT RECOMMEND.
JmeW from London, England
WORST MUSICAL I’VE EVER SEEN
The best bit was the end. Not only because it was over but there was some snow & Santas sleigh flying was the only good bit. The set looked so cheap. Rubbish effects. Dancing & songs were terrible. Any of the funny bits from the film were made unfunny & cringy. Buddy was so annoying, so was most of the cast. Went with 2 friends & our children aged 11-15 & none of us liked it. Save your money & go to a Christmas Carol at the old vic instead. That was fabulous
Sam from London, England
SADLY VERY DISAPPOINTED
We were at the 19.30 show, yesterday 2/12/23. 3 adults. We were all very disappointed. It lacked any magic at all and overall our impression was is that it had a poor script, it just was not engaging, and executed with a low budget. Only the Sleigh 'flying' scene suggested any effort on visual effects. We stayed to the end but honestly was glad when it was over. Really sad because this is our favourite Christmas movie.
Rhian from London, England
DISAPPOINTING LET DOWN
We love theatre and I’m so sad to give such a bad review because I know the actors put a lot of love into their work but this was truly awful. It’s the first musical I’ve ever fallen asleep in. The scenery was sparse and empty I was expecting a lot more ‘Christmas ‘ to it, the show itself felt empty and missing something. The end tap dance with the whole cast was nice but this type of thing needed to be interjected into the musical to spice it up a bit it was soo boring ! People started putting on coats when actors were still on stage near the end and were leaving before they had left the stage, this made us sad to see for the actors, if they’d come back out for an encore there would have been no one there ! BUT totally understandable , it really was awful, we had just seen an amateur BLOC Chistmas Carol production at Bristol Hippodrome and the set and cast were outstanding how can a show in London be so bad ? I’m sorry, save your money it wont make you feel Christmassy just broke!
Charles Ward from London, England
TERRIBLE….
I can’t really start to desribe just how terrible ELF the musical is….its a poorly put together musical with instantly forgettable songs…wrapped around the title of ELF…and full of over acting…. I’m VERY surprised that the film company approved of it….reminded me of a school panto…” Terrible”…and that’s being polite.
Gareth from London, England
PLEASE STOP
This is the worst thing my eyes have ever seen, and I’ve seen fatal accidents. Terrible from start to finish. Plus it cost me £95 each. I’d pay more than that not to have to see it again. It’s too late for me, but save yourselves.
Andrew from London, England
WISH I HAD READ THE REVIEW
The show would have been terrible even if it was a primary school play. Not worthy of the west end! Poor (over) acting by a very camp Elf. What a disappointment. We left after about 30min. Waste of money - avoid
Lorraine from Newcastle
AWFUL
Very disappointed, poor from the start. Part of our party left at the interval as so awful. Complete waste of money. Newcastle show on 30 Dec
Dabid from Brighton
ALF THE MUSICAL
Just seen the show in Brighton and wish I hadn’t I’d rather have spent the time counting pebbles on Brighton Beach. Terrible acting terrible singing and zero enjoyment factor. Save your money and take your kids for a Pizza !!
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comical Fun FESTIVE!
I'd like to have spaghetti and syrup with Elf for breakfast.
It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas at the Dominion Theatre. Ushers whisper, "Are you excited?" into little ears in the enthusiastically decorated lobby of the Dominion Theatre. And excited we were!
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Nicola Quinn
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