Snowball fights, dancing Santa’s, and a flying elf, the festive season burst into full swing as Elf the Musical opened at Mayflower Theatre.

Few would have assumed the Christmas classic Hollywood film, Elf (2003) would have a second life as a stage musical more than two decades after the movie’s release, but a capacity crowd braved the winter weather to see Elf the Musical on Tuesday night.

Recreating the same playful charm that made the film so popular, Elf the Musical follows Buddy – an elf who leaves the North Pole to find his human father in New York City.

Intercut with an array of singing and dancing numbers, the musical features an original score of tunes by Matt Sklar and Chad Beguelin.

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Elf the Musical (Image: Mayflower Theatre) Starring Jordan Conway as Buddy and featuring Barry Bloxham and Kelly Banlaki, Elf the Musical is at its best during the group ensembles as the cast air kick their way to delighting the younger demographic in the audience.

With a flying sleigh and Father Christmas compiling his ‘naughty or nice’ list, the show is perfect for getting children into the Christmas spirit and keeping them entertained throughout.

However, the adults would be forgiven for thinking they’d arrived at panto a week early with plenty of audience participation required. Not least when a snowball fight is activated in the crowd during the show – it’s part of the act – that will leave you dodging snowballs and even beachballs hurled from the dress circle into the stalls, resulting in non-stop carnage.

Perhaps this was to distract the audience from noticing a handful of actor faux pas – botched lines, missed catches, and fits of giggles – which strangely added to the viewing experience. Sometimes it’s a joy just to see things not go to plan on stage before being carefully styled out and woven into the performance.

A show children that children won't want to miss, Elf the Musical is on at Mayflower Theatre until Saturday, December 7.