ELF at @TheGrandLondon–#LdnOnt Nov. 20–Jan4–You NEED to GO!

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As a family we have made it a holiday tradition to see the holiday production at The Grand Theatre in London.  Opened in 1901, The Grand has a long standing tradition here and continues to entertain families through the years.  Last year we had the privilege of attending Miracle on 34th Street and it was… well… Grand!
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This year we saw the musical production of ELF, you’ll need to put it in your calendar because there are only a few performances left but YOU NEED TO GO… If you haven’t gotten tickets already, you still have time.  With matinee performances Saturday December 28th  & Sunday December 29th at 1 pm, and an evening performance Saturday at 7:30 pm and all next week.  Below is an overview of the days that are available.  If you click on the picture below, it will take you right to The Grand Theatre website.  Check online or call the box office directly at 519.672.8800.  The best available seats for the up coming performances will be Thursday January 2 and Saturday January 4 (I called the box office just to make sure).
It should be noted that it was reported in the London Free Press that over 35,000 tickets have been sold for this production of ELF making it the biggest hit in The Grand’ Theatre’s history. Elf has passed the previous record-holder, Beauty And The Beast, which sold approximately 32,500 tickets.
http://tickets.grandtheatre.com/single/WeekCalendar.aspx
What a winning performance.  From start to finish the show was highly energetic and fun.

“As a child, William “Buddy” Hobbs mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported back to the North Pole. Years later, Buddy discovers he is human and not an elf at all. He heads off to New York City in search of his father, Walter. But there is a problem. His father is on the naughty list! Buddy is determined to win over his father and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas.”

Elf Synopsis from The Grand Theatre ProgramElf is based on the book by Thomas Meehan and Bob Martin, music by Matthew Sklar and lyrics by Chad Beguelin. The production is based upon the 2009 New Line Cinema Film, ELF that stars Will Ferrell.  For me the movie is a classic, funny, goofy and all round a good time.  For my son (who has also seen the movie), it was pretty clear: “I liked the musical way better then the movie.”  You don’t often get that sort of reaction from children.  They are often so familiar with the film version of books that sometimes the subtleties of a play or musical are lost on them.  Not my son, he found the tunes catchy the dancing energetic and the scenery magical.  He loved the occasional node to classic lines in the movie.  It kept all three kids riveted to the stage.
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I have to agree wholeheartedly that this Christmas production (expertly directed by Susan Ferley) has to be one of the best that The Grand Theatre has produced in London.  I was just disappointed I did not see it sooner so I could’ve blog about it earlier!  We waited to see Elf because we wanted to take my in-laws that were visiting from Vancouver.  We also took my mother which made it a whole grandparents’ outing with the kids.  We were not the only ones that where there with large family contingents.
My favourite actors hands down were twofold: Liam Tobin, playing the lead, Buddy, made his Grand Theatre debut.  Hailing from St. John’s Newfoundland, Liam’s  theatre credits range from playing Tony in the International Tour of West Side Story: Next to Normal (MTC) to Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat to The Sound of Music.  He is young, energetic portraying a believable ‘child-adult’ Buddy.  His voice was strong and unwavering.  He really has a fantastic voice.  He carried the production solidly on his shoulders. 
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Another stand out for me was Michael Hobbs played by grade 9 H.B. Beal Secondary School student Justin Eddy. He was confident, convincing and had a great voice.  He held his own opposite a very experienced cast.  I thought he was charming and stole the show from his on-stage parents Cara Hunter (Emily Hobbs) and Ian Simpson (Walter Hobbs).  What do they say, never share the stage with children or animals?  In this production of ELF you cannot help but love the child actors.
I have to say I loved the  Nobody cares about Santa number and the finale.  When the whole ensemble sings and dances it is truly magical.  The elf costumes were so well thought out with all the colourful combinations and detailed accessories (the beards, the hats, the shoes).  From young to veterans, they all looked like they were having a great time… that is no small feat considering this was their 38th show – probably more with the school performances.  I also have to give kudos to the musicians, seven in total (or that is what the program says) but they were mighty.  My father-in-law even commented on how well they sounded with such small numbers – bravo gentlemen!
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As a child my husband’s family would often go to the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in Vancouver to see the seasonal productions (as well as other productions having been season ticket holders).  Our love of the theatre is one that has been passed down to our children also.  I hope that you take the time to squeeze in a production of ELF.  It was so much fun!
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The Family Tradition continues

I hope to be able to catch these upcoming Grand Theatre productions: The Passion of Narcisse Mondoux, Other Desert Cities, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and Oil & Water.  If you click on the pictures below, you will go directly to the Grand Theatre production page so you can reserve your tickets now.
The Passion_Grand Theatre_London_DownshiftingPRO Other Desert Cities_Grand Theatre_London_DownshiftingPRO 
 Spelling Bee_Grand Theatre_London_DownshiftingPRO  Oil and Water_Grand Theatre_London_DownshiftingPRO

Star Star Star Star Star out of 5
Productions: ELF
Where: The Grand Theatre London Ontario
Tickets: over the phone or on-line
Production run: November  20, 2013 – January 4th, 2014


All Photos are Courtesy of The Grand Theatre Facebook page with credits  given to Photo Courtesy of Chris Montanini for The Londoner & Photo Mary Tweeddale, Cast – ELF
If you want to read another one of my reviews, please check out Legally Blonde (the High School Project for 2013) and last year’s production of Miracle on 34th Street.


This is a sponsored post in that I received complementary tickets for this performance.  All opinions are my own and that of my family.  They were not compensated for this review and their tickets were purchased – like everyone else’s.  The opinions are strictly my own and written with integrity.

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Margarita Ibbott is a travel and lifestyle blogger. She blogs about travel in Canada, the United States and Europe giving practical advice through restaurant, hotel and attraction reviews. She writes for DownshiftingPRO.com and other online media outlets.

6 thoughts on “ELF at @TheGrandLondon–#LdnOnt Nov. 20–Jan4–You NEED to GO!”

  1. I went to see Elf Margarita loved it! I was really impressed with Buddy’s younger brother and the costumes were breathtaking. Have a wonderful 2014 I love your blog
    Jane Gray Hammill London Ont

  2. What a wonderful tradition! I had no idea that they had even made Elf into a musical. The “sELFie” is adorable!

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