Far Far Away Theatre’s The Elves and the Shoemaker – 4 December, Montgomery Theatre
Review by Claire Taranaski.
Far Far Away Theatre are back at what feels their rightful home for me, The Montgomery Theatre, for their latest Christmas production and it is a delight from start to end, a festive fairy tale with a splattering of panto worthy comedy for those who that is their preferred seasonal theatre, a wonderful range of characters, crisp fun choreography, delightful songs, more elves that you might ever see in one place and of course a visit from “Red One”.
My favourite performances of the night came from Michael Crump as Mr Cobblestone, the shoemaker, who gave a professional musical theatre leading man performance (based on this he could easily play the likes of Caractacus Potts in a touring production) who possessed wonderful stage presence, warmth and chemistry with his onstage wife Jenna Dabbs (more on Jenna later) and vocals and was a wonderful dancer.
My other favourite performance was unexpected as Matthew Dabbs played not one but two parts and at first his role as Mr Shackles felt like a traditional panto baddie, not a bad thing, with the voice of Baron Bomburst (no apologies for second Chitty Chitty Bang Bang reference of the review). However there are lots of shoe shop customers in this production and each their own distinct memorable character, so Matthew later returned as by far my favourite customer Colin, aka Rusty Diamond, the cowboy wannabe turned line dancing instructor, who came in not out of place in a Western to then melt the hearts of both Mr and Mrs Cobblestone and the entire audience, and he can line dance. Parents be warned, he will be the reason your children come home and turn your brooms into ugly stick musical instruments.
I said I would come back to Jenna Dabbs and that is because she is the beating heart of Far Far Away Theatre, as Mrs Cobblestone her performance was a delight full of her usual joy as a performer and with lovely chemistry with Michael Crump and all their customers, but off stage she wrote and directed the show and getting the very best out of everyone involved and was in charge of wardrobe, including 20 individual elf costumes (and then later in character making them even more) and 40 individual elf ears and the fairy tale worthy cobblers shop set.
Supporting Jenna, alongside his roles mentioned above, is Matthew Dobbs who is also composer and musical director for the show and with original songs ranging in genre pop to country and western and from rock and roll to numbers that would not be out of place in “Muppets Christmas Carol”. His musical work is worth staying a few minutes after the encore, as backstage he then sings a fun reworking of “Fairytale of New York” jumping between his two characters in the duet.
I mentioned the 20 elf costumes and they were of course for the ensemble of 20 elves, lets not question why the show needs 20 elves to make one or two pairs of shoes, but they were all a delight with their own individual names (well done head elf for remembering them all in roll calls) and joyful, enthusiastic character traits, perfect crisp fun choreography and being able to sing as one. Special mention the pork pie loving “Oh Gary” (played by Peter Holliday) who had the panto worthy physical comedy of the show and whose freeze sneeze I would love to have seen made more of. On the subject of elves, your elves on the shelves and festive cuddle toys from home are than welcome to join you at the show, but don’t worry if they don’t as my daughter was delighted to just join in with the actions.
Of course it’s Christmas and Santa himself would be delighted with Steve Wainwright’s brief but memorable appearance. Steve gave a joyful and fun but classic portrayal, which will definitely not leave your children questioning why there is a man in a suit rather than the real thing, whilst also moving the story towards its finale.
Far Far Away Theatre “they’ve got sole” and their fun, family festive show should not be missed by children and their big people looking for the perfect theatrical start to the Christmas season.
And finally the most important part of the review, our six year daughter whispered to me during the show that she loved everything about it and especially the songs and that they said “six seven” (only once so if, like me, you are not a fan of this phrase don’t let this put you off).
