Elf stars real-life West End married couple Joel Montague (The Great Gatsby, Hamilton) as Buddy and Carrie Hope Fletcher (Calamity Jane, Les Misérables) as Jovie in the hit show.

Photos: Elf The Musical – Rehearsals

Joining Joel Montague and Carrie Hope Fletcher in the cast of Elf The Musical are TV star Aled Jones as Walter Hobbs, alongside Rosanna Hyland (Back to the Future, School of Rock) as Emily Hobbs, Lucinda Lawrence (9 to 5 The Musical, Mamma Mia! The Party) as Deb, Dermot Canavan (Fiddler on the Roof) as the Store Manager, Martyn Ellis (Wicked) as Santa/Mr Greenway.

The role of Michael Hobbs will be shared by Ayrton English, Max Garlick, Harry Georgiou and Samuel Sturge.

The cast also features Mollie Cleere (Mamma Mia! The Party), Farirayi Garaba (Mamma Mia!), Sophie Pourret (The Great Gatsby), Lucy Rice (Clueless), Biancha Szynal (Bring It On), Kyle Cox (& Juliet), Zack Guest (Moulin Rouge!), Ryan Jupp (Crazy For You), Dominic Lamb (Guys & Dolls), and Danny Nattrass (Brigadoon).

The cast is completed by swings Sophie Camble (Cinderella The Musical), Amy Punter (Tina – The Tina Turner Musical), Samuel John Humphreys (The Great Gatsby) and Michael Tyler (Mamma Mia!).

The beloved musical returns to London following sold-out runs at the Dominion Theatre.

Based on the hit 2003 film starring Will Ferrell, Elf The Musical follows Buddy, an orphan who mistakenly finds himself at the North Pole and is raised as one of Santa’s elves. When he learns the truth, Buddy travels to New York to meet his father, discovering the meaning of family and festive spirit along the way.

The show has a book by Tony Award winners Thomas Meehan (Annie, The Producers, Hairspray) and Bob Martin (The Drowsy Chaperone), with songs by Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin (The Wedding Singer).

The West End production will be once again directed by Philip Wm. McKinley with choreography by Liam Steel. Set and costume design is by Tim Goodchild, with lighting by Patrick Woodroffe, sound by Gareth Owen and video design by Ian William Galloway. Casting is by Grindrod Burton Casting.

Elf The Musical plays at the Aldwych Theatre from 28 October 2025 to 3 January 2026.

7 October 2025

Exclusive: Elf the Musical has revealed a look inside the rehearsal room ahead of its limited West End season!

As already announced, Joel Montague, Carrie Hope Fletcher and Aled Jones will star as Buddy, Jovie and Walter Hobbs respectively when the show opens at the Aldwych Theatre.

Adapted from the 2003 New Line Cinema film starring Will Ferrell, Elf features a book by Thomas Meehan and Bob Martin, with music by Matthew Sklar and lyrics by Chad Beguelin. The story follows Buddy, a human raised as an elf at the North Pole, who travels to New York City in search of his birth father.

Also in the cast are Rosanna Hyland (Back to the Future: the Musical) as Emily Hobbs, Martyn Ellis (Wicked, The Lion King) as Santa/Mr Greenway, Lucinda Lawrence (9 to 5) as Deb and Dermot Canavan (Fiddler on the Roof) as Store Manager with Mollie Cleere, Farirayi Garaba, Sophie Pourret, Lucy Rice, Biancha Szynal, Kyle Cox, Zack Guest, Ryan Jupp, Dominic Lamb and Danny Nattrass. The cast is completed by Sophie Camble, Amy Punter, Samuel John Humphreys and Michael Tyler as swings.

The role of Michael Hobbs will be played by Ayrton English, Max Garlick, Harry Georgiou and Samuel Sturge.

The show previously ran at the Dominion Theatre in both 2022 and 2023, setting box office records on each occasion. It also had a recent run at the Marquis Theatre on Broadway in 2024, marking its first return to New York in over ten years and setting new weekly gross records.

The production is directed by Philip Wm McKinley, with choreography by Liam Steel, set and costume design by Tim Goodchild, lighting design by Patrick Woodroffe, sound design by Gareth Owen, and video design by Ian William Galloway. Casting will be by Grindrod Burton Casting.

A new set has been designed for the Aldwych Theatre by Goodchild to accommodate the venue’s dimensions. The production is presented by Temple Live Entertainment.

Elf The Musical runs from 28 October 2025 to 3 January 2026.

Jack Ducat will star as Buddy the Elf in Philip Wm. McKinley’s production based on the 2003 film.

By Logan Culwell-Block, Andrew Gans

September 29, 2025

The upcoming 2025 holiday tour of Elf the Musical has found the cast that will bring holiday cheer for all to hear! The screen-to-stage musical is hitting the road after a 2024 holiday run on Broadway, with the new non-union tour set to begin November 1 at Clark State Performing Arts Center in Springfield, Ohio.

Jack Ducat will lead the company as Buddy, with Felicia Martis as Jovie, Jeff Brooks as Walter Hobbs, Yara Martin as Emily Hobbs, Ryan Duck and Camden Kwok as Michael Hobbs and Little Boy, Andrew Hendrick as Santa Claus and Mr. Greenway, Katelyn Lauria as Deb, and Darius J. Manuel as Macy’s Manager and Hot Dog Vendor. The company will also include Connor Barton, Calista Case, Derick Donato, Adam Furgal, Kabir Gandhi, Tanner Gleeson, Patrick Johnson, Vanessa Mitchell, Clark Anton Rulon, Emma Sucato, Mikayla Thrasher, Alysia Varstardis, Annie Wogisch, and Keila Sue Wong.

Again directed by Philip Wm. McKinley, the tour has stops planned in 10 cities, including Chicago, Atlanta, and San Antonio. A full itinerary is at ElfMusicalTour.com.

Restager Dave Solomon and Associate Choreographer Richard J. Hinds will helm the US tour creative based on the 2024 Broadway revival production. 

Based on the 2003 New Line Cinema film starring Will Ferrell, Elf features a book by Tony winners Thomas Meehan (Annie, The Producers, Hairspray) and Bob Martin (The Drowsy Chaperone), with songs by Tony nominees Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin (The Wedding Singer). The musical made its Broadway debut in 2010 at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre and returned there in 2012. A 2024 engagement of McKliney’s staging was a box-office hit at Broadway’s Marquis.

Like the film, the stage musical follows the charming tale of Buddy, who mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag as a baby and is raised as an elf. When Santa tells him the truth, Buddy heads to New York City to find his birth father.

The forthcoming tour will have choreography by Liam Steel; set and costumes by Tim Goodchild; lighting by Patrick Woodroffe; sound by Gareth Owen; video by Ian William Galloway; hair and wig design by Sam Cox; orchestrations by Doug Besterman; dance arrangements by David Chase; vocal arrangements by Phil Reno; music supervision, additional arrangements, and orchestrations by Alan Williams; and associate music supervision by Nate Patten.

First staged at London’s Dominion Theatre in 2022, this production became the fastest-selling show in the venue’s history, going on to break its own box-office records during the subsequent 2023 run at the same house.

The hit family musical plays a 10-week Christmas season at London’s Aldwych Theatre

September 13, 2025

FacebookTwitterPinterestWhatsApp

Full casting has been announced for the anticipated West End return of ELF THE MUSICAL, which will play a strictly limited, 10-week Christmas season at the Aldwych Theatre from 28 October 2025 to 3 January 2026.

The production will star Joel Montague as Buddy, Carrie Hope Fletcher as Jovie, and Aled Jones MBE as Walter Hobbs.

Joining them will be Rosanna Hyland (West End: Disruption, Back to the Future The Musical) as Emily Hobbs, Martyn Ellis (West End: Wicked, The Lion King,) as Santa/Mr Greenway, Lucinda Lawrence (9 to 5, West End; Hairspray, UK Tour) as Deb and Dermot Canavan (West End: Hairspray, Fiddler on the Roof) as Store Manager with Mollie Cleere (MAMMA MIA! The Party, The O2), Farirayi Garaba (MAMMA MIA!, International tour), Sophie Pourret (The Great Gatsby, West End), Lucy Rice (Clueless, West End), Biancha Szynal (Bring It On, Southbank Centre), Kyle Cox (& Juliet, UK Tour), Zack Guest (Moulin Rouge! The Music, West End), Ryan Jupp (Crazy For You, West End), Dominic Lamb (Guys & Dolls, Bridge Theatre), Danny Nattrass (Brigadoon, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre).

The cast is completed by Sophie Camble (Cinderella The Musical, West End) as Swing, Amy Punter (TINA – The Tina Turner Musical, West End) as Swing, Samuel John Humphreys (The Great Gatsby, West End) as Swing and Michael Tyler (MAMMA MIA!, West End) as Swing.

The role of Michael Hobbs will be played by Ayrton English, Max Garlick, Harry Georgiou and Samuel Sturge.

Based on the beloved 2003 New Line Cinema hit starring Will Ferrell, ELF THE MUSICAL features a book by Tony Award-winners Thomas Meehan (Annie, The Producers, Hairspray) and Bob Martin (The Drowsy Chaperone), with songs by Tony Award nominees Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin (The Wedding Singer).

After two sold-out runs at the Dominion Theatre and a record-breaking holiday run at the Marquis Theatre on Broadway, ELF THE MUSICAL will now bring holiday cheer to London with a brand-new set, adapted for the dimensions of the Aldwych Theatre by Tim Goodchild.

This production will once again be directed by Philip Wm. McKinley, with choreography by Liam Steel, set and costumes by Tim Goodchild, lighting by Patrick Woodroffe, sound by Gareth Owen, video by Ian William Galloway and casting by Grindrod Burton Casting.

ELF THE MUSICAL in London is produced by Temple Live Entertainment.

London News

Philip Wm. McKinley will again direct the production based on the 2003 film.

By Logan Culwell-Block, Andrew Gans

September 11, 2025

Carrie Hope Fletcher, Joel Montague & Aled Jones

The upcoming West End return of Elf The Musical has found its cast, with performances set to begin October 28 at the Aldwych Theatre. The 10-week holiday run will continue through January 3, 2026.

Leading the cast will be Joel Montague (The Great Gatsby) as Buddy, Carrie Hope Fletcher (Cinderella) as Jovie, and Aled Jones as Walter Hobbs, with Rosanna Hyland (Back to the Future) as Emily Hobbs, Martyn Ellis (Wicked) as Santa/Mr. Greenway, Lucinda Lawrence (9 to 5) as Deb, and Dermot Canavan (Hairspray) as Store Manager. Ayrton English, Max Garlick, Harry Georgiou, and Samuel Sturge will share the role of Michael Hobbs.

The ensemble will comprise Mollie Cleere, Farirayi Garaba, Sophie Pourret, Lucy Rice, Biancha Szynal, Kyle Cox, Zack Guest, Ryan Jupp, Dominic Lamb, and Danny Nattrass. Swings Sophie Camble, Amy Punter, Samuel John Humphreys, and Michael Tyler will round out the company.

Again directed by Philip Wm. McKinley, Elf is coming to the West End after two sold-out runs at the Dominion Theatre and a holiday 2024 run on Broadway. Based on the 2003 New Line Cinema film starring Will Ferrell, Elf features a book by Tony winners Thomas Meehan (Annie, The Producers, Hairspray) and Bob Martin (The Drowsy Chaperone), with songs by Tony nominees Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin (The Wedding Singer). The musical made its Broadway debut in 2010 at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre and returned there in 2012. A 2024 engagement of McKliney’s staging was a box-office hit at Broadway’s Marquis.

Like the film, the stage musical follows the charming tale of Buddy, who mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag as a baby and is raised as an elf. When Santa tells him the truth, Buddy heads to New York City to find his birth father.

The forthcoming London engagement will have a brand-new set, adapted for the dimensions of the Aldwych by Tim Goodchild, with choreography by Liam Steel, set and costumes by Goodchild, lighting by Patrick Woodroffe, sound by Gareth Owen, and video by Ian William Galloway. Casting will be by Grindrod Burton Casting.

First staged at the Dominion Theatre in 2022, this production became the fastest-selling show in the venue’s history, going on to break its own box-office records during the subsequent 2023 run at the same house.

Elf the Musical is produced by Temple Live Entertainment. Tickets are available now at ElfLondon.com.

Philip Wm. McKinley will again direct the production based on the 2003 film.

By Logan Culwell-Block, Andrew Gans – July 29, 2025

Elf the Musical is going back on the road! Following a 2024 holiday run on Broadway, the screen-to-stage musical will embark on a U.S. tour this holiday season, launching November 1 at Clark State Performing Arts Center in Springfield, Ohio. Casting is to be announced.

Again directed by Philip Wm. McKinley, the tour has stops planned in 10 cities, including Chicago, Atlanta, and San Antonio. A full itinerary is at ElfMusicalTour.com.

Based on the 2003 New Line Cinema film starring Will Ferrell, Elf features a book by Tony winners Thomas Meehan (Annie, The Producers, Hairspray) and Bob Martin (The Drowsy Chaperone), with songs by Tony nominees Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin (The Wedding Singer). The musical made its Broadway debut in 2010 at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre and returned there in 2012. A 2024 engagement of McKliney’s staging was a box-office hit at Broadway’s Marquis.

Like the film, the stage musical follows the charming tale of Buddy, who mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag as a baby and is raised as an elf. When Santa tells him the truth, Buddy heads to New York City to find his birth father.

The forthcoming tour will have choreography by Liam Steel, set and costumes by Tim Goodchild, lighting by Patrick Woodroffe, sound by Gareth Owen, video by Ian William Galloway, hair and wig design by Sam Cox, orchestrations by Doug Besterman, dance arrangements by David Chase, vocal arrangements by Phil Reno, and music direction by Nate Patten.

First staged at London’s Dominion Theatre in 2022, this production became the fastest-selling show in the venue’s history, going on to break its own box-office records during the subsequent 2023 run at the same house.

The tour is being presented by special arrangement with Music Theatre International.

Look back at the 2024 Broadway production in the gallery below.

Grey Henson, Kayla Davion and the 2024 Broadway cast of “Elf The Musical”
(Photo: Evan Zimmerman)

On the heels of the limited holiday Broadway engagement of Elf The Musical at the Marquis Theatre in 2024, a brand-new tour of Elf will launch on November 1 and travel to 10 cities this holiday season, including Chicago, Atlanta and San Antonio. See the full tour route here. 

Based on the 2003 Christmas movie starring Will Ferrell as Buddy the oversized elf, the musical features a book by Thomas Meehan and Bob Martin, music by Matthew Sklar and lyrics by Chad Beguelin. The recent Broadway production was a staging of director Philip Wm. McKinley’s West End production, featuring choreography by Liam Steel, sets and costumes by Tim Goodchild, lighting by Patrick Woodroffe, sound by Gareth Owen, video by Ian William Galloway and music supervision by Alan Williams.

Elf tells the story of Buddy, who mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts as a baby and is transported back to the North Pole and raised as an elf. Unaware that he is actually human, Buddy’s enormous size and poor toy-making abilities finally cause him to face the truth and realize he’ll never belong in the North Pole. With Santa’s permission, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York to find his birth father, discover his true identity and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas.

Casting for the tour will be announced at a later date. 

ELF will return to the West End for a strictly limited, 10-week season this winter at the Aldwych Theatre, running from 28 October 2025 to 3 January 2026. The cast will be announced at a later date.
 
After two sold-out runs at the Dominion Theatre and a record-breaking holiday run at the Marquis Theatre on Broadway, ELF will bring holiday cheer to London with a brand-new set, adapted for the dimensions of the Aldwych Theatre by Tim Goodchild.
 
This production of ELF will once again be directed by Philip Wm. McKinley, with choreography by Liam Steel, set and costumes by Tim Goodchild, lighting by Patrick Woodroffe, sound by Gareth Owen and video by Ian William Galloway. Casting will be by Grindrod Burton Casting.
 
Based on the beloved 2003 New Line Cinema hit starring Will Ferrell, ELF features a book by Tony Award-winners Thomas Meehan (Annie, The Producers, Hairspray) and Bob Martin (The Drowsy Chaperone), with songs by Tony Award nominees Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin (The Wedding Singer).
 
ELF is the funny and charming tale of Buddy, who mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag as a baby and was raised as an elf! Way too tall and not so great at his job, Buddy is the North Pole’s biggest misfit… and knows he’ll never belong. When Santa tells him the truth, Buddy heads to New York City to find his birth father (who turns out to be quite high on the naughty list). After causing some merry mayhem in Manhattan, Buddy finally discovers the gift of family and falls in love. And when Santa’s sleigh crashes in Central Park, it’s Buddy who finds a way to save Christmas forever!
 
First staged at the Dominion Theatre in 2022, this production became the fastest selling show in the venue’s history, going on to break its own box office records during the subsequent 2023 run at the same house. When this production ran at the Marquis Theatre in 2024, it marked the musical’s first return to Broadway in over a decade and went on to break the venue’s box office’s record for weekly grosses in two consecutive weeks.

Elf is a Christmas story about a curious member of Santa’s team who travels to New York to meet his father.

Elf the Musical is to play the Aldwych Theatre this year, taking over the space from the seven-year-long run of Tina: The Tina Turner Musical. 

The Christmas-themed musical, based on the 2003 film starring comedian Will Ferrell, is to run from October 28 until January 3, 2026.

It comes as Tina: The Tina Turner Musical prepares to depart the Aldwych Theatre on September 13, after opening its stint at the venue in 2018.

Elf will once again be directed by Philip Wm. McKinley, who previously led the show in its former West End runs in 2022 and 2023. The show premiered on Broadway in 2010.

Featuring choreography by Liam Steel, lighting by Patrick Woodroffe, sound by Gareth Owen, and video by Ian William Galloway, and casting by Grindrod Burton, the production is to incorporate a “brand-new set” adapted for its new home theatre’s dimensions by Tim Goodchild.

The musical follows Buddy, a human raised as an elf among Santa Claus’ team of helpers, who journeys to New York to find his biological father. A book by Thomas Meehan and Bob Martin is accompanied by the songs of Matthew Sklar and Chad Begeulin. 

Cast is yet to be announced, with the show produced by Temple Live Entertainment.

Based on the 2003 film starring Will Ferrell, Elf tells the story of Buddy, who mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag as a baby and is raised as an elf.

Olivia Rook – 4 July, 2025, 01:00

Elf: The Musical returns to the West End for a limited 10-week season this winter, following two previous runs at the Dominion Theatre. Performances begin at the Aldwych Theatre on 28 October, running through 3 January 2026.

Based on the 2003 film starring Will Ferrell, Elf tells the story of Buddy, who mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag as a baby and is raised as an elf. When he goes to New York City in search of his birth father, Buddy discovers the importance of family and love.

ELF features a book by Thomas Meehan (Annie, The Producers, Hairspray) and Bob Martin (The Drowsy Chaperone), with songs by Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin (The Wedding Singer). The show returns to London with a new set, adapted by Tim Goodchild. The production will once again be directed by Philip Wm. McKinley, with choreography by Liam Steel, set and costumes by Goodchild, lighting by Patrick Woodroffe, sound by Gareth Owen, and video by Ian William Galloway.

Cast is yet to be announced.