With Elf the Musical currently open until Saturday 3rd January 2026 at the Aldwych Theatre in London’s West End, Dominic Lamb has returned to the show having performed with them in 2023, and he works with Joel Montague (Buddy), Carrie Hope Fletcher (Jovie) and Aled Jones MBE (Walter Hobbs) in the musical version of the 2003 film which starred Will Ferrell. Dominic was in the Ensemble of the recent Guys and Dolls production at the Bridge Theatre, where he also understudied Nicely-Nicely Johnson and Arvide Abernathy, and at Lido 2 Paris, he was in the cast of Cabaret and was understudy Emcee and Herr Schultz. In 2022, Dominic played Kyle / Dad in Legally Blonde at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre (and understudied the role of Callahan), and he previously played Mr Mooneyham in the International Tour of School of Rock and understudied Theo. Also a dancer, Dominic most recently was involved with Grange Park Opera’s 2025 summer revival of Mazeppa, where he was also the fight captain, and he’s worked on many Matthew Bourne shows previously, including The Red Shoes, Edward Scissorhands and Dorian Gray. We recently spoke with Dominic about returning for this year’s production of Elf the Musical at the Aldwych Theatre, performing in Guys and Dolls and Cabaret and working on numerous Matthew Bourne dance shows such as Edward Scissorhands.
For those that haven’t seen a previous run of Elf the Musical, or the 2003 film starring Will Ferrell that it is based on, can you say about the musical?
It’s a fantastic show that really suits its new home at the Aldwych. If you want the festive magic of panto (without the cameos), a stunning original score and the most breathtaking iteration of its finale to date, you need look no further. Get tickets while you still can!
What is it like telling the story of Elf the Musical and seeing the audience response?
The audience really do make it all worthwhile. It’s a surprisingly hard show to do, and seeing and hearing the effect the hard work has is a welcome payoff.
You have returned to the show having been in the cast in 2023; what do you enjoy most about the production and how does it feel to be back?
The tap finale is a joy to perform, the harmony work is wonderfully crunchy, and I get paid to rollerblade!
What was it like meeting this year’s cast for the first time and how is it performing as part of the Ensemble?
This cast is legitimately one of the loveliest I’ve been a part of, and I get to perform with my partner!
How did you prepare for this year’s run at the Aldwych Theatre and what are you looking forward to for continuing in the show until Saturday 3rd January 2026?
Most of the heavy lifting for me was done two years ago. It’s pretty much been a case of staying healthy, uninjured, sane, and giving our heroic swing team as much help as they can get. And I’m definitely looking forward to our in-house dnd game!
Who do you think Elf the Musical will appeal to and why would you recommend booking tickets?
Honestly, anyone and everyone. It’s a wonderful show and it really suits the Aldwych.
You were in the Ensemble of the recent production of Guys and Dolls at Bridge Theatre, how was your time in the show?
In a word, perfect. In two words, too short.
What was it like understudying Nicely-Nicely Johnson and Arvide Abernathy, and was there anything that drew you to the musical?
Guys and Dolls was one of my first theatrical experiences as cast (Stourbridge Amateur Operatic Society REPRESENT) at about… 12 years old? It was a wonderful full circle moment. Unfortunately, I never had the chance to try Arvide, but Dave was indeed a Dude and Nicely was truly an honour to play.
How did you find the experience performing in Cabaret at Lido 2 Paris as Ensemble and understudy Emcee and Herr Schultz?
That building is a monument to the arts, and it was a privilege being part of its new life as a musical theatre venue. Sadly, I never got to go on for my covers, but the contract was fabulous and surreal nonetheless, much like the show and the city we performed in. A wonderful few months of my life.
In 2022, you were in the cast of Legally Blonde as Kyle / Dad / understudy Callahan at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, how much did you know about Legally Blonde before booking your role and what was the musical like to work on?
Honestly, very little! It was a film and a show I’d never got around to watching, so it was all a happy surprise! The team was lovely, the music was slick and satisfying, and the Park is a magical venue for audiences.
How was your time touring with School of Rock as Mr Mooneyham and understudy Theo and how was it taking the show internationally?
Honestly, that contract was pretty life-changing. I’d just come back from a knee operation and it really forced me to get back to fighting shape. South Korea will forever have a hold on my heart, as will that show. I’m a HUGE Jack Black and Tenacious D fan, so it was pretty cool getting to immerse in it every night. The kids were insanely talented, the cast was wonderful, and the director set the benchmark for steering a company (Patrick, you’re the best). 🫰
As a dancer, you have most recently been involved with Grange Park Opera’s 2025 summer revival of Mazeppa (also as fight captain), can you tell us about this?
It was a very unexpected experience! I’d been recommended to the choreographer very last minute, and it was a dreamy location for a summer gig (20 minute drive through glorious sunny country lanes). The venue was fantastic, I got to play soldier, flip tables and get some firearms drill in. The big prison sequence fight scene was really fun, and being fight captain has really given me the impetus to go and get qualified as a fight director too. Also, we entered the stage for the big final act dance with gas masks on inside coffins – very ODST/Helldiver Core.
What are some of your favourite memories from working with Matthew Bourne on his productions of The Red Shoes, Sleeping Beauty, Edward Scissorhands, Cinderella and Dorian Gray?
Edward Scissorhands is still one of the most magical shows I’ve ever been a part of. Two contracts in and I’d still cry without fail when it starts to snow. The Attendants in Sleeping Beauty have some of the most satisfying material I’ve ever danced (and the coolest costumes), and it’s a crime that Dorian Gray isn’t a cult classic. An overexposed, monochromatic, high fashion fever dream that’s soaked in 80s and 90s aesthetics. I’d jump at doing it again. And aside from the wonderful productions themselves, I had a lot of adventures touring with New Adventures!
What are Matthew Bourne’s shows like to be part of and what do you feel you learnt from your time with the company?
It is very noticeably a contemporary dance company with musical theatre sensibilities. The work ethic and standard of performance and artistry is on par with its neo classical and contemporary… contemporaries, but on the gruelling schedule of a musical theatre production. It’s an environment that really rewards loyalty and hard work, and with each new show welcoming new and old faces, it could really feel like a family. On top of that, it taught me how to act authentically through dance. Matt is a true master of storytelling, and the wealth of narrative movement vocabulary his company has given me is forever surprising me! Plus, a free dance class every day? Yes please.
Where does your love of acting and dance come from and how did you get into performing?
My mother! A dancer through and through. I owe this addiction to her! Both inspired and taught me to dance. My life would be very different without her passion for performance pushing me forward.
Do you have any favourite theatre shows to watch, and which would you like to see that you haven’t as yet?
When I get the time to think about it, I’ll let you know! I do wish I’d seen Patriots before it closed, and I’d have loved a show watch on Guys and Dolls!
How do you like to spend your free time?
I love my VR, I love both tabletop and live action role-playing (Empire LRP!). I write songs and stories, I enjoy airsofting and sword fighting and rollerblading, and I love cooking.
Follow Dominic on: