Legally Blonde

Anticipation was high as a full house awaited the start of this show, they were not to be disappointed. As always with any production there were a couple of opening night glitches with set and sound but nothing that distracted from the performances throughout the show.

This is a show where all the cast are named characters so I was pleased to see that director Frankie did not swell the cast for company numbers. This meant that at no time did the small stage appear crowded with good use of trucks and moveable flats, there was just one well painted backcloth. Good use was also made of the proscenium arch with well disguised opening windows which were used effectively throughout the show. There were some good sets which were well dressed, Paulette’s hair dressing saloon, the Men’s outfitters where Emmett changed. Sound was generally good, a couple of glitches (but it was opening night), good lighting design throughout and appropriate and colourful costumes.

Although this show is full of song and dance, the story of Elle Woods transition from dumb blonde sorority girl dumped by her boyfriend to a successful trainee lawyer at Harvard Law school was clearly told. This was a well performed role by Melissa Middleton who remained a great sassy blonde throughout the show, a commanding performance with not only great songs but good clear dialogue and great movement throughout. She had some good company numbers with the Delta Nus and several duets with Emmett, Ben Penfold, these were delightfully sung, including ‘Take it Like a Man’, ‘Chip on my Shoulder’ and the title track ‘Legally Blonde’. There were also many numbers where she led the Delta Nus and other cast members. Melissa gave us a strong performance throughout the show, well done for not being upstaged by Bruiser.

Ben Penfold also gave us a good performance as Emmett Forrest, I enjoyed his portrayal. There was a good rapport between him and Melissa and a great transformation from the brown character to the blue character, the change of costume seemed to change the character. Another strong performance was that of Dale Hornsby as Professor Callahan, commanding the stage as he gave a strong lead to the Student Chorus with ‘Blood in the Water’, as he did in all the scenes that he appeared in.

Kia Long’s portrayal of Paulette was strong and entertaining, nicely played, and great vocals in the numbers ‘Ireland’ and leading the company with ‘Find my Way’. All the Principals held their own and gave good performances, Rowan Fox-Noble as Warner Huntingdon was well cast and had a good relationship with Hayey Tabor as Vivienne Kensington with their own strong leads in, respectively ‘Serious’ and ‘Legally Blonde Remix’. Maddy Bush also gave a strong performance as Brooke Wymondham, a well performed and energetic lead number with ‘Whipped into Shape’ which opened the second act and then her duet with Elle in ‘Delta Nu Nu Nu.’ Izzy Lanchester, Maddie Cole and Ellie Fradley gave strong dance and vocal support as respectively Margot, Serena and Pilar.

The company gave the audience energetic and entertaining performances in both their dance and vocal numbers, choreography was imaginative and tightly performed, singing was strong and dialogue was good and strong. All the company roles had good clear dialogue and were well performed giving good indication of their characters, some of which gave us humorous entertainment. There were a couple of notable performances from the company, Chloe, Steve and Jim.

Frankie and her team should be pleased that the virtually sold-out performances gave their audiences a clear view of the talents and abilities of Watlington Players both on stage, back stage and Front of House which was run as usual with efficiency of Cyril and his team.

Leslie Judd

 

 

 

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