Elf the Musical review 2025: What to expect in London

All the important bits to know before seeing ELF The Musical:

Venue: Aldwych Theatre, WC2B 4DF, in Holborn/Covent Garden
Dates: Until 3 January 2026
Duration: Two hours and 30 minutes (including interval)
Performance times: Mon-Sat 7pm , Thurs & Sat 2pm
Audience: The ultimate Christmas show for families, perfect for children aged 4 and over.
Tickets: Secure your seats now for ELF The Musical

Buddy’s Christmas quest is back to the West End stage

Martyn Ellis, who is playing Santa in ELF The Musical, is seated in a large white chair reading a book about Buddy The Elf.

Every year, the big question is which Christmas show will top the West End charts. While Buddy has claimed the top spot a few times, excitement is building as the musical returns in 2025 with a brand new production, having made waves on Broadway last year. Adapted for the live stage, the musical is based on the 2003 hit film starring Will Ferrell and on a book, which was based on the film, co-written by Tony Award-winning authors Thomas Meehan (known for his work on timeless musicals such as Annie, The Producers and Hairspray) and Bob Martin (The Drowsy Chaperone).

Following two sold-out runs at the Dominion Theatre in 2022 and 2023, which established it as the ultimate London Christmas musical, as well as a record-breaking sold-out run on Broadway last year, ELF is back in London's West End once again. Join Buddy at the Aldwych Theatre, which has been decked out for the season, and celebrate 15 years of festive cheer since the movie was released on screens.

Did you know? Composer Matthew Sklar and lyricist Chad Beguelin had already started working on songs for ELF the Musical when director Casey Nicholaw said he would really like to do a musical version of ELF.

ELF The Musical – what it’s about and must see moments

The cast of ELF The Musical is on stage, all dressed as elves on a stage decorated with giant candy canes and giant red cubes spelling 'Mery Christmas'.

Santa meets us in Christmas Town, ready to read us the story of Buddy. However, he seems more preoccupied with setting up his cable TV to watch and record the football match than preparing for Christmas! The show contains plenty of modern references, which bring a few chuckles from the audience. For example, wearing Crocs with socks earns you a spot on the naughty list and reindeer cleaning duty!

ELF brings to the stage the charming and extremely funny adventure of Buddy, a young man who grew up in the North Pole, convinced that he is an elf. That is, until he overhears the other elves and realises that he crawled into Santa’s bag as a baby, ending up in the North Pole. The rest is history! However, not everything is jingle bells and a snowball paradise for Buddy. He is too tall to navigate Santa’s workshop with ease and is not so skilled at building the thousands of toys that children all over the world are impatiently waiting for.

Having finally learned the truth about his human features, Buddy leaves the Christmas village and heads to New York City to find his long-lost father, who, much to Buddy’s shock, happens to be on the naughty list! With Christmas fast approaching, it's hard not to be excited for Buddy's favourite time of the year! What follows is a series of hilarious yet heartwarming scenes, as Buddy takes his first steps in the human world, discovering the meaning of family and first love.

Real-life couple Joel Montague and Carrie Hope Fletcher shine on stage

The cast of Elf the Musical, including Joel Montague and Carrie Hope-Fletcher, are all dressed in white and holding hands as they sing on stage together.

Joel Montague, known for playing King George in Hamilton and, more recently, George Wilson in the London premiere of The Great Gatsby, takes on the role of Buddy. He brings to life the lovable and carefree character of Buddy, full of innocence, wonder, childlike joy and enthusiasm for everything he encounters, making for a show-stopping performance full of Christmas cheer. Whether he's trying to spark joy in blasé New York City at Macy's fancy department store or even getting his overworked dad's employees involved in a cheerful paper snow fest and dancing extravaganza, Buddy always has an infectious smile and an endless supply of warm hugs.

Carrie Hope Fletcher, known for playing Fantine and Éponine in Les Misérables, as well as Calamity Jane more recently, takes on the role of Jovie. Together, this theatrical power couple lead the cast, bringing real chemistry to Buddy and Jovie’s romance. Her rendition of the song “Never Fall in Love with an Elf” is simultaneously comical and magical, showcasing her angelic voice and flawless execution of the high notes.

Aled Jones is standing in the middle of the stage playing the role of Walter Hobbs in ELF The Musical, surrounded by cast members dressed in colourful outfits and playing office workers.

Fun fact: The power couple tied the knot in 2023, and ELF marks their first time sharing the stage. Amusingly, Joel kept secret the fact that he had auditioned for the role of Buddy while Carrie had already been offered the role of Jovie.

The supporting cast and ensemble are equally talented, delivering truly jolly performances. These include Aled Jones, known by most as the angelic voice behind the hit Walking in the Air from The Snowman, playing Buddy's dad Walter Hobbs. Walter is a workaholic who plans to skip the Christmas festivities, much to the disappointment of his young son Michael.

Keep your eyes peeled for Santa’s elves bustling through Christmas Town, smiles and sparkle galore. As the cast perform on their knees, their puppet-like legs swinging along, the Christmas workshop comes to life in the most whimsical way.

Staging Christmas magic: ELF transforms the Aldwych into a winter wonderland

The actors playing Emily and Michael Hobbs in ELF The Musical are on stage, wearing winter clothes and jackets, marvelling at the falling snow.

Boasting an all-star cast and a brand new set design, this year's new production brings the world of ELF to life more vividly than ever, transporting audiences from the frisky and magical North Pole to bustling New York City. The production combines interactive wall projections with scenery and sets, creating a truly striking experience!

Outstanding sets include Macy’s revolving doors, the Empire State Building, and Buddy running through a tunnel upon arrival in New York City. The use of multimedia screens and crafted sets brings the story to life, creating an immersive experience. Expect moments of candy-cane twirling paired with sparkling Christmas fun, making for an effervescent performance that is sure to bring cheer to Santa as he completes his 2025 deliveries and put a smile on the faces of everyone in attendance.

Final verdict? Heartwarming start to the festive season

Dressed all in white, Joel Montague, who plays Buddy in ELF, walks past the cast towards the front of the stage.

Expect festive décor that screams Christmas, straight from the North Pole’s busiest elf workshop. The show’s had a refresh, with modern touches sprinkled in – including Santa proudly trading in his hefty old logbook of children’s wishes for a slick iPad that makes his job much easier.

The infectious music will have you singing along in no time. I still find myself humming the pop-like anthem “It's the Story of Buddy the Elf”, much to the amusement of my colleagues and friends. Expect true theatre magic as Santa makes his grand departure in the final scene (no spoilers from me!). It had me grinning from ear to ear – genuinely the most excited I’ve felt in ages, ready to go carolling down the West End like Buddy himself.

The curtain call, with the full cast returning as snow begins to fall, is pure Christmas joy: the sort of stage moment that gets you on your feet, clapping, dancing, and leaving the theatre just a little bit more sparkly than when you arrived. If you come in hoping for a whole lot of Christmas spirit – ELF The Musical delivers it by the sleigh-load.

Make the most of your visit

The Aldwych Theatre is decked out in red, green and sparkle, providing plenty of photo opportunities against the backdrop of life-like posters. From the outset, we know that we have entered Buddy's world, and that we are in for a treat! The theatre is only a short distance away from The Strand and Covent Garden, which are both adorned with sparkling Christmas lights to get you in the mood before the show.

If you’re looking for pre-theatre food and drink options, we have you covered with a variety of seasonal choices that are sure to delight all taste buds.

Indulge in Bébé Bob truffle menu where each dish offers unforgettable flavours, from the potato rosti steak tartare to the chicken schnitzel and the black truffle soft serve for dessert.
Dive into Cahoots, a 1940s-themed underground bar offering high spirits, swinging entertainment and Underground-themed cocktails.
If you have a sweet tooth, visit London’s first churreria, Aguamiel, a shop dedicated to churros. Or stop by London’s first popcorn shop, Godfrey's Popcorn, which serves unusual flavours such as cheddar cheese and caramel corn.

More London Theatre reviews

Make the most of your visit to London's West End by attending the must-see productions that are making headlines. Read our recent reviews of productions such as The Devil Wears Prada, making waves on the runway to My Neighbour Totoro, which features award-winning puppetry, bringing the world of Ghibli to life. Dive into another hilarious comedy from the creators of South Park with our review of The Book of Mormon.

Make sure you check out our guide to the best Christmas events in London this season, building up the excitement in the lead-up to Christmas Day!