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Legally Blond

Author: Budge Grounsell

Information

Date
9th September 2016
Society
Ellesmere Port Musical Theatre Company
Venue
The Floral Pavilion
Type of Production
Musical
Director
Wesley Whatron
Musical Director
Craig Price
Choreographer
Sue Hickman-Germon

~~Legally Blonde is a Book, Musical and Film which were I confess all new to
me but Ellesmere Port Musical Theatre Company have never failed in
delighting me and their audience in the past and they say “Hope springs
eternal”. Once again it made a mighty leap in the air.

Oklahoma it certainly was not and if you went expecting to come out of the
theatre humming catchy tunes you might have been disappointed. Not that the
music was in any way bad but it reflected a modern day approach to a score
designed to fit the storyline.   I liked it.

Direction and Choreography the work of Wesley Wharton and Sue Hickman-Germon
was fresh, innovative and in total communion with the action. The singing
was good as I would have expected from the oft times I have witnessed  the
work of Musical Director Craig Price.

Legally Blonde is a musical with music and lyrics by Laurence O'Keefe and
Nell Benjamin and book by Heather Hach. The story is based on the novel
Legally Blonde by Amanda Brown and the 2001 film of the same name. It tells
the story of Elle Woods, a sorority girl who enrolls at Harvard Law School
to win back her ex-boyfriend Warner. She discovers how her knowledge of the
law can help others, and successfully defends exercise queen Brooke Wyndham
in a murder trial.

Chloe Donley played “Elle” with all the verve and style needed in this
challenging part which required her to be on stage most of the time. She
enjoyed the support of a bevy of beautiful friends and a ubiquitous “Greek
Chorus”; first class work Ladies. Hayley Dale as Paulette Bonafonte was a
pleasure  in the role and her song “Ireland” was a particular delight as was
her Irish Dancing, more of which later.

Samantha Yarwood as the not so nice “Vivienne” and Gill Watson as Brooke
Wyndham both brought skill and the right flavour to their parts and Kyle
Hickman -Germon, Alessio Scapaticci and Gareth Earl more than held up the
Male side of the plot undaunted by the presence of so many talented ladies.

Add to all this a host of character parts whose contribution is vital in
telling the tale. Oh and two dogs who "behaved" themselves very well.  The
“Irish Dance” at the end of the show was unexpected and excellent;  eat your
heart out Michael Flatley. Altogether a great show .

As usual lets us remember that it is not only on stage where the talent
lies. Add to the above, Dance Captains, Stage crew, Musicians and  Front of
house; Props and Programme Design, Lighting, Sound, Wardrobe ,Makeup,
Photography and Publicity all of whom are an invaluable asset to the
Company;  its often unsung backbone.   Thank you all.  Budge

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