Diva Productions Bring Elf the Musical Back to Wakefield – Review

Michael Markey as Buddy the Elf. Image Credit: Creative Studios Media.

Back by popular demand after a sold out run in 2023, Diva Productions – the Yorkshire theatre company renowned for powerful, high-quality theatre – returned to Unity Hall in Wakefield with their hit show Elf The Musical. Based on the much-loved holiday film, this fish-out-of-water comedy follows Buddy the Elf on his quest for identity, offering an evening packed with festive cheer, laughter, and boundless Christmas spirit. Diva Productions invited TSOTA along to review the performance. 

From the moment the curtain rose, Elf the Musical delivered everything audiences hope for in a seasonal production: lively songs, bright choreography, swirling snow, and a heartwarming story that embraces togetherness, joy, and belief. With its catchy musical numbers, energetic ensemble, and irresistible warmth, the show instantly transported the audience into a world of festive magic.

For those who may be unfamiliar with the story, the musical follows Buddy, who as a baby accidentally crawls into Santa’s sack and is whisked away to the North Pole. Raised by elves, Buddy grows up believing he belongs — until his human size and hapless toy-making skills reveal the truth. With Santa’s blessing, he embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father. Faced with the reality that his father is on the naughty list and his half-brother doesn’t believe in Santa at all, Buddy sets out to win over his new family and remind the city of the true meaning of Christmas.

Michael Markey as Buddy the Elf and Andrew Coan as Santa Claus. Image Credit: Creative Studios Media.

Michael Markey brought Buddy to life with infectious enthusiasm. He captured the character’s relentless optimism, booming cheerfulness, and wide-eyed innocence with charm and precision. His portrayal embraced Buddy’s tornado-like arrival into Walter and Emily’s lives — curious, excitable, and very, very loud. A standout moment came when Walter instructed Buddy to sit quietly in the office. Markey’s exaggerated struggle to contain his questions, only to erupt with a hilariously earnest “What do rainbows feel like?”, had the audience roaring. These moments of physical comedy were delivered with impeccable timing, but Markey also grounded the character in warmth: helping his half-brother Michael rediscover Christmas spirit and giving Jovie the magical holiday she’s always dreamed of.

James Banks also shone as Walter Hobbs. He embodied the character’s Scrooge-like obsession with work, sharply portraying a man too busy for his family and too cold for Christmas. His gruff dismissal of employees and his impatience with his wife and son felt authentic without ever tipping into caricature. This made his transformation all the more satisfying. His stand against his workaholic boss — and his joyful participation in the reprise of “A Christmas Song,” a tune still echoing in my mind — was one of the production’s most uplifting moments.

Meg Riley as Jovie singing ‘Never Fall in Love (With An Elf)’. Image Credit: Creative Studios Media.

The superb creative team elevated the show even further. Charlotte Wallis’ choreography brought vibrancy and polish to every scene, while clever special effects whisked the audience from the snowy North Pole to Santa’s grotto, and from the chaos of New York City back again. A large screen projected beautifully rendered backdrops, from twinkling Christmas workshops to sleek Manhattan office buildings, creating a cinematic feel without cluttering the stage. Minimal but effective props (a sofa in the Hobbs living room, a table in the boardroom) added a sense of tangible realism. 

One particularly magical moment arrived in the final scene, when the theatre plunged into darkness and Santa, in a life-size sleigh, appeared to fly overhead. It was a delightful surprise that captured the wonder of the season.

With its humour and heart, this beloved West End holiday tradition arrived in Wakefield with all the joy and sparkle of the original. Diva Productions have created a festive treat for all ages — a show brimming with magic, music, and Christmas cheer, right here in Yorkshire.

***

Elf the Musical played at Unity Hall, Wakefield from 2–7 December. To keep up to date with upcoming productions from Diva Productions, follow them on their website or Instagram.

Their next show, We Will Rock You, will be staged at the Theatre Royal Wakefield from 29 April – 2 May 2026.