Legally Blonde

                                         

I was warmly welcomed on arrival by Chairman Julia Clarke and met with Director Lucy Weaver during the interval and after the performance.

The society had hired a most impressive and effective set which allowed for multiple scene changes including Delta Nu Sorority House, Harvard Law School, a hair salon, a jail and courtroom and a department store. There was lots of action for the efficient stage crew in moving sets and props on and off stage. There were many costume changes for the cast (some on stage!) with costumes being very colourful and appropriate to the characters. Original costume designs were created by Lillia Weaver and sourced by the society from their wardrobe or locally. Well done to Wardrobe Mistress Chris Bareham as everyone looked the part! Lighting was atmospheric including hues of pink and green ( for the Irish dance scene) and sound levels good.

Throughout this challenging musical every actor, singer and dancer on stage performed to a very high standard. Choreographer Ashleigh Curtis, helped by Dance Captain Jessica Hazell, had developed some amazing routines which everyone had mastered resulting in superb dancing !

Act One opened with very lively and hectic dancing and singing of Omigod You Guys which set a cracking pace for the rest of the show and I loved the Irish dancing. Act Two opened with a superb display of skipping which was perfectly executed. Well done! The singers and dancers were ably supported by the ten piece band with accomplished direction from Musical Director Phil Toms on Keys 1.

There were stellar performances from the principals who were all remarkably well cast. Shannon Hannah, as the lead, Elle Woods had boundless energy with an enormous stage presence. I enjoyed her powerful singing especially in Legally Blonde and Serious and in the duets  with Mark Littlewood, playing Emmett Forrest, a fellow law student.  Mark had a great voice displayed particularly in Chip On My Shoulder and in the many ensemble numbers. I loved the role played by Lauren Nolan as the hairdresser Paulette and her vocals were impressive. Charlie Vaughan, as Professor Callahan played a strong role as the Harvard law professor, with a great rendition of Blood In The Water. James Clark was Warner Huntington 111, Elle’s first love interest displaying so much arrogance and dominance in this role. Caroline Salmon was Vivienne, an intern and Warner’s girlfriend, putting down Elle whenever possible. I liked Koralia Salacuri in the role of Brooke, showing off her agility and  flexibility as the fitness instructor. Phoebe Wiggett played Enid, a law student and aspiring intern. The three close friends and entourage of Elle, Margot ( Rebecca Mason), Serena ( Naomi Carter) and Pilar ( Alex Hooker) were all strong singers and dancers acting as Elle’s “Greek chorus”. Very well played !

Lots of the ensemble took minor/niche roles and I especially liked the villain of the piece, Teegan Deeks playing Chutney Wyndham and Simon Hipkin was a near perfect delivery man, working the audience at one point to divert attention away from a major scene change taking place.

Stars of the show? Well obviously the two very well behaved dogs!

This was an amazing performance from this very talented cast coaxed and cajoled to perform to a very high standard by Director, Lucy Weaver. Many congratulations to Lucy , aided by Assistant Director Keith Peck, for her inspiration and innovation in bringing this incredible production to stage.

 

NODA owns the intellectual Property Rights to the content of all show reports written by NODA Councillors, Reps and Assistant Reps 

 

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.