If you’re feeling that you need a little Christmas, then gift yourself a present to see Elf: the Musical. With an endearingly goofy performance from Gareth Isaac in the title role, the sweet show certainly spreads the festive spirit.

Gareth Isaac and the cast of Elf: The Musical. Photo © Daniel Boud

First seen on Broadway in 2010, the musical sticks pretty closely to the 2003 film starring Will Ferrell on which it is based – though here it is Santa who acts as the narrator (rather than Papa Elf). Buddy has grown up at the North Pole having crawled into Santa’s sack as a baby. Now 30, he towers over the elves who have raised him, but has never mastered the art of toy making.

When he discovers that he is actually a human, Santa tells him that his father lives in New York City, so he decides to try and find him – even though his Grinch-like dad is on Santa’s naughty list. And so begins Buddy’s journey of (s)elf-discovery.

With a book by Thomas Meehan and Bob Martin, music by Matthew Sklar and lyrics by Chad Beguelin,...