Ben Forster to reprise role in Elf the Musical this autumn

Ben Forster will reprise the lead role in Elf: The Musical at Theatre Royal Plymouth and The Lowry later this year.

Forster, who won Andrew Lloyd Webber's ITV talent show Superstar, is currently playing the titular role in the West End production of The Phantom of the Opera.

He originated the role of Buddy the Elf in the UK premiere at the Theatre Royal Plymouth in 2014 and played the role in the West End in 2015.

The cast, directed and choreographed by Morgan Young, will also include former West End cast members Joe McGann as Walter and Jessica Martin as Emily Hobbs.

Based on the 2003 film starring Will Ferrell, Elf tells of an orphan who learns his real dad lives in New York and not the North Pole. It features a book by Thomas Meehan and Bob Martin, with music and lyrics by Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin.

Further casting will be announced in due course.

Elf: the Musical runs at Theatre Royal Plymouth from 11 to 18 November and at The Lowry from 24 November to 14 January.