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Entertainment
Barbara Hodgson

Newcastle to welcome Elf The Musical for three-show run this December at Utilita Arena

Elf - a show billed as a festive spectacular - is set to be a star attraction in Newcastle in December following news it is booked in for a two-day run over the Christmas season.

The city's Utilita Arena said it is "overjoyed" to announce that it will be hosting ELF The Musical for three performances in two days, which will include a morning showing on New Year's Eve. The show, based on the much-loved Hollywood movie starring Will Farrell which is said to be one of the most popular Christmas films of all time, is set to be stunner, featuring film backdrops, a moving stage and special effects with snowstorms and candy canes.

Tickets for the three-performance run, over December 30-31, will go on sale this Friday. And it promises to be a treat, with a large cast of performers and West End star Steven Serlin in the lead role of Buddy the Elf - the part played in the film by Ferrell - who, having been raised by Santa's elves, learns he is human and goes off to New York City to seek out his biological father.

Read more: Will Ferrell had feared Elf could be his last movie

Announcing the news on Wednesday, the arena said the blockbuster movie "has been supersized into a live arena spectacular", adding: "The huge production features amazing film backdrops plus a mobile stage that travels the auditorium so everyone gets a close-up view of the action.

"Expect a festive extravaganza featuring an indoor snowstorm, a giant candy cane journey from the North Pole and aerial cirque stars." The show's producer and director Jon Conway said this is the fourth year that the top pantomime brand behind it has presented the epic version of the tale and that, being "keenly aware of the economic climate", prices for it have even been reduced this year to ensure it will be an affordable family outing.

He said the show has been made even bigger and better too, with new features helping create "a really thrilling experience". He added: "One of the best sights is the audiences dressing up for the show, especially the dads in Elf Christmas sweaters!"

Tickets to see Elf The Musical at Utilita Arena will go on general sale on Friday, April 21 at 10am: keep an eye out here.

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