A TV personality is set to star in a stage adaptation of a beloved Christmas classic coming to Colchester later this year.
Colchester Events and Stage Right Entertainment have announced the star-studded headline cast for Elf The Musical.
The festive blockbuster is coming to Colchester’s Charter Hall on a 36-show run over the holiday season.
It has now been revealed Buddy the Elf, the eccentric human raised by Santa's elves, will be performed by Essex’s own Jake Quickenden.
The actor, singer and X-Factor contestant is best known for winning the Dancing on Ice in 2018 and becoming runner-up in the I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here in 2014.
Originally from Scunthorpe, Jake now lives in Boxted.
He said: “I’m a massive fan of Elf and especially Buddy - it’s a great role to release my inner child.
“This will be an incredible show and something the whole audience will remember as a special time.
“Ever since I can remember I have been singing and I love the stage.
“I’m so looking forward to Colchester’s production of Elf and just cannot wait to get started.”
Starring alongside Jake as Jovie, the unenthusiastic department store worker who captures Buddy’s heart, will be Ipswich’s Jade Mayjean.
The singer-songwriter found fame on BBC’s The Voice under mentor Kylie Minogue before releasing her album 20Sixty.
Distinguished actor on TV and stage, Gary Turner, will take the role of Walter Hobbs, the cynical business executive who is revealed as Buddy's biological father.
Gary is best known for his role as chef, Carlos Diaz in ITV’s Emmerdale, which he played from 2000 to 2004.
More cast members will be announced in the coming weeks.
Elf The Musical is based on the book by Thomas Meehan and Bob Marti, with music by Matthew Sklar and song lyrics by Chad Beguelin.
The show is based on the beloved film starring Will Ferrell.
It tells the hilarious tale of Buddy, who, as a baby, mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and grows up in the North Pole.
Raised as an elf and never quite fitting in, when Santa tells him the truth about his birth father, Buddy sets out to New York for a family reunion to remember.
Elf The Musical takes place from Saturday, December 14.
Tickets are on sale at colchester-events.co.uk.
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