LEGALLY BLONDE

Legally Blonde the musical is an all singing, all dancing romantic comedy which sees pink princess Elle Woods go from Home Coming Queen to Harvard Law Student all in the name of love. The very talented Upstagers cast once again delivered a high energy, professional production to a packed audience.

Lois Brook was outstanding as Elle with a beautiful powerful singing voice, her comedic timing and flawless dance moves “sealed the deal” in this role.  She brought Elle on a journey in her bid to get “serious” - she abandoned her dizzy blond image until she realized being true to herself might be the way for her happy ending and fulfil her potential.  She was totally believable in this part and must have eaten, slept and breathed Elle since she secured the part!  Massive congratulations on a brilliant performance Lois!

There was fabulous support from the Delta Nu’s & Greek Chorus. The girls worked well together.  Harriet Dibb (Serena), Alexa Clark (Margot) & Amelia Bradley (Pilar) all created delicious characters – which were 100% evident all the way through the production.  With a whole host of Delta Nu’s alongside they were a very slick team, who clearly loved every minute of performing each and every dance routine.

Emmett Forrest, the nerdy studious law scholar who helps Elle on her road to success was excellently played by Joey Wilby.  I loved his performance - a relaxed likeable character, with a fabulous singing voice.  You have a great future ahead of you Joey – enjoy the next phase of your studies in Musical Theatre.

Laura Mills-Whittaker created the loveable kooky character Paulette Buonufonte, the unlucky in love beautician until she found love with the U.P.S driver played by Ross Knowles.  Their partnership worked superbly especially in the Irish Jig scene, which brought the house down.  Laura has good strong vocals, and delivered her musical numbers with professionalism and style.

Warner Huntington III was played by Tom Wood.  He was suave and sophisticated, and his “Serious” duet with Elle in the opening scene was excellently delivered.

Katherine Griffiths brilliantly captured Vivienne Kensington’s initial frostiness and eventual thawing as the girlfriend of Warner.

George Scaife was suitably super sleazy as Professor Callahan the ruthless law tutor offering female interns a leg up to the career ladder in return for favours.  “Blood in the water” was brilliantly performed

Bethany Denby as ‘Brooke Wyndham’ the fitness instructor was well cast and with the dancers gave a slick routine “Whipped into shape” with skipping ropes that was clever and well choreographed with lots of energy.  I think the audience were exhausted just watching it being performed.

Harry Hodge (Nikos Argitakos) and Sammy Foster (Carlos) were hilarious in the court room scene in their musical number “Gay or European”.  Their delivery and comic timing in this number was outstanding.  The audience were thoroughly entertained.

There were, of course, two very special canine performers in the form of Bruiser (Arnie Nowland)  and  Rufus (LB Knowles)  who gained immediate popularity from the audience the moment they stepped on stage.

There was great support from the whole cast, including all the cameo parts (of which many people played multiple parts) – not once did anyone drop any characterisation throughout the whole performance.  Everyone gave 100% plus to this production.

The pace of this show never sagged from the moment it opened to the second it closed.  Congratulations to Paul Nowland on your stunning production and choreography.  You certainly had the cast well drilled

There was a well-controlled orchestra under the direction of Phil Walsh – never overpowering the cast so all vocals could be heard.

Superb lighting effects and an effective set enhanced the whole experience for the audience.  Along with excellent sound this was a production where every spoken word could be heard, which is important when much of the delivery is underscored – and the cast have American accents!

Overall this production was high energy and professional - very uplifting and a feel-good factor that couldn’t help but put a smile on our faces. The audience certainly left with a spring in their step and humming those tunes!

 

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.