A panto-style musical based on popular festive film Elf returns to the region this Christmas, promising a thrilling spectacle for all the family to enjoy. Actor & comedian Jordan Conway, who plays the title role, gives What’s On the lowdown on this year’s show...

Playing iconic characters in supersized festive productions is becoming a thing for Jordan Conway. Last year, the comic actor took the title role in Peter Pan The Arena Spectacular - alongside Boy George as Captain Hook - and this Christmas he returns in the lead role of Buddy in Elf The Musical Arena Spectacular (there’s a theme developing here).

The production is a new adaptation of the ‘arena spectacular’ (see what I mean?) version of Elf that last toured in 2022, which in turn was based on the 2003 blockbuster holiday movie starring Will Ferrell.

Produced by Jordan’s father, John Conway, for the duo’s theatre company, The World’s Biggest Productions, the show takes elements of traditional panto and adds dance, comedy, an array of circus-style acrobatics, special effects and music (songs are written by Tony Award nominees Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin). Oh, and there’s also a flying sleigh, an audience snowball fight, an indoor snowstorm, a movie-style backdrop and giant LED screens, just for good measure.

It’s a heady cocktail that makes for a great night out, according to its leading man/elf. Jordan has been involved in four previous versions of the show - though never in the lead role until now - and believes the latest iteration is the best yet.

“It’s a really exciting show that has a lot of the traditional values of pantomime, but with circus-style acrobatics and lots of immersive action for the audience to get involved in, like snowball fights and even a stage on wheels that moves round the arena.”

There’s more comedy this time around, says Jordan, but the story hasn’t changed: “It’s still the movie story that everybody knows and loves, but more mystical, I’d say. There are more elements of fantasy and comedy than any version there’s ever been. Not necessarily because I’m playing the title character, but you’ve got to bear in mind that I’ve been doing the show for five years and seen four different Buddys. There’s elements of all of them - their good things and each show’s good bits - that we’ve mixed into a melting pot to make what I think will easily be the best version.”

The greater amount of circus-style acrobatics and other dynamics - including a hoop act and roller-skating duo - are another significant change to previous shows. And they also impact the portrayal, as well as the audience’s perception, of the lead character, believes Jordan.

“I’m the only Buddy to do a circus performance in the history of the show, so it kind of adds to his wondrous mystical fantasy qualities. So rather than just be a bumbling idiot, or where some people could perceive him as that, we’re trying to make Buddy into this magical personality that transforms everybody’s spirit of Christmas to match his own.”

For the acrobatics, Jordan and co-star Kelly Benlaki spent time training with the Hungarian International Stage Circus School, developing a circus strap act that he hopes will be one of the show’s highlights. But coming from a comedy background, Jordan believes that making people laugh is equally - if not more - important than the spectacle and stunts. He also tries to make it different every night (“I can’t even do the same show twice in one day, let alone for a year!”), with jokes and attitudes tailored to the particular audience in front of him.

“Earlier in the year, I did a two-week press tour of the country. I dressed up as Buddy and went to different towns where we’re playing. It was good to meet some of the locals, understand their type of humour and see what’s relevant from town to town. That’s particularly good for me because I can tailor my lines and performance to each venue, because there’s a different kind of thought process and demographic to each town.”

Jordan also has a quite unique approach to getting laughs, making his fellow on-stage actors his audience, rather than the punters sat in the seats.

“I’ve always thought - ever since I started in comedy, really - that if you’re sharing the stage with other performers, you should always try to make them laugh rather than the audience. If you can make the people on stage laugh, the audience can tell something’s not quite right or someone’s smirking or breaking, and it makes them ease in a bit more. 

“So rather than going gung-ho and trying to make every single person laugh, I start with the building blocks of the people on stage, and once everyone feels at ease, it becomes a lot easier.”
Jordan admits his adlibbing impulses will be slightly reined for this show, but believes there’s more to improvising than just going off-script in search of a laugh.

“This is a big Broadway musical, so I’ve got to respect the script, but improvisation doesn’t just necessarily mean jokes; it can be looks or movement or even costume. It’s things that people don’t quite think about or realise.”

Another inside joke - or at least anecdote - among the cast is how Jordan and fellow actor Barry Bloxham (who plays Buddy’s father, Walter Hobs) have come through the ranks in the show. In the first version five years ago, the pair played the two principle characters with the least lines, and now they’re the two leads.

“It’s a fantastic story for me and him, and we’re incredibly grateful and proud and excited to get to show our versions of the characters.” Jordan maintains he’s thrilled rather than intimidated to be carrying such a big show as its lead star - and to be doing so without the foil of a household name such as Boy George, as was the case last year.

“It’s a very different thought process with Elf. Buddy’s the star, so I can completely immerse myself in the character, and there’s absolutely no stress on me, Jordan Conway, at all.

“I’m very comfortable and extremely grateful to be playing a title character again, but it’s not a stress or a burden - it’s a fantastic opportunity. It’s nice that I’ve got to set the precedent, the attitude, the tone and the positivity within the company, and I love that responsibility.

“I’m a very positive person, especially in rehearsals, and I love entertaining. I’m just very, very excited!”

Feature by Steve Adams

Elf The Musical shows at BP Pulse Live Birmingham from Friday 20 to Sunday 22 December