Legally Blonde

“Legally Blonde: The Musical,” is based on the 2001 hit movie and the original Amanda Brown novel, brilliantly transposed to the stage by Heather Hach (Book) Laurence O’Keefe and Nell Benjamin (Music and Lyrics). This is an exuberant show that combines humour, heart and a catchy score to deliver a powerful message about staying true to yourself. This production by Huddersfield Musical Theatre Company (HMTC) excelled in nearly every area, from standout performances to sharp choreography, an engaging set and vibrant music.

Elle Woods is the heart and soul of Legally Blonde and this production was very lucky to have Molly Griffiths don the famous pink shoes. Molly delivered a phenomenal performance, embodying Elle’s transformation from a seemingly shallow sorority girl to a confident, empowered lawyer. With impeccable comedic timing and a stunning vocal range, she captured Elle’s charm, resilience, and intelligence. Her energy was infectious and she showed real vulnerability in the role, especially when singing “Legally Blonde” Molly made Elle’s journey deeply relatable and compelling.

Emmett Forrest is Elle’s love interest and mentor and was portrayed with a grounded authenticity by Gavin Birrell. Gavin provided a great counterbalance to Elle’s initial energetic enthusiasm but also brought depth to his character who could easily be overshadowed by Elle’s bright personality. His interactions with Elle were genuinely endearing and he shines in “Chip on My Shoulder,” showing Emmett’s hardworking nature and desire to succeed despite the odds. His chemistry with Elle felt organic, adding an essential layer of warmth to the storyline.

Paulette Buonofonte, Elle’s quirky and lovable confidante, was played with both humor and heart by Kimberley Bates. Kimberley's comedic talents are on full display as she nails Paulette’s lovable eccentricity. Her big number, “Ireland,” is both hilarious and surprisingly touching, as she dreams of escaping to a romanticised Irish life. Her physical comedy and strong vocal performance make Paulette memorable, and her scenes with Kyle the UPS guy (Keelan Barrand) were hilarious. Keelan was quite clearly having a blast in the tightest shorts known to man. Paulette brought warmth and genuine support for Elle, creating a lovable character that the audience just loved. Keelan has some excellent comedic timing and his entrance was always met with huge cheers and applause.

Warner, Elle’s ex-boyfriend, was depicted with a perfect blend of charm and arrogance by Robin Walsh. Robin managed to bring out Warner’s superficial side without turning him into a complete villain. This, for me, allowed the audience to understand why Elle was initially with him. Robin’s attitude and singing in “Serious” was perfectly condescending, highlighting his character’s self-centered attitude. Robin brought enough charisma to make Warner compelling but kept reminding us why he’s not the right match for Elle.

Leah Norton played Enid Hoopes and brought a fantastic level of individuality to the role. She perfectly captured Enid's unique personality, balancing her quirky, offbeat charm with a sense of confidence and purpose. Her comedic timing was spot-on, and she really brought depth to the character, showing that beneath Enid's eccentric exterior is someone who truly believes in standing out and staying true to herself. Her energy added a wonderful layer of fun to the show and she showed great presence every time she was on stage.

The character of Vivienne is initially set up as Elle’s rival, but her transformation into a supporter was gently done by Jessica Rushton. She looked at ease playing a character with such duality as she starts off as a cold and composed that contrasts sharply with Elle’s exuberance, to the warm and caring side of her in the latter stages. The transition is gradual and well-handled. Jessica showed strong stage presence and excellent singing.

Ian Wilson was the tough, ambitious law professor Callahan and he played him with a strong commanding presence. Ian captured Callahan’s sharp intellect and manipulative side, especially during “Blood in the Water”. Ian created a palpable sense of discomfort and intimidation, particularly when he crosses boundaries, capturing the power dynamic between himself, Elle and the other interns. Ian provided a credible representation of a character whose ambition has, for far too long, gone unchecked.

Brooke, a fitness guru accused of murder, was brought to life by Olivia Grace Kitchen-Dunn. Olivia showed impressive athleticism during “Whipped into Shape,” which combines rigorous skipping rope choreography with strong vocal work. Her portrayal of Brooke’s confident, no-nonsense attitude was perfect and her interactions with Elle highlighted the importance of trust and loyalty.

The Delta Nu sorority sisters brought boundless energy and vibrancy to the show. Their cheerleader-like enthusiasm and support for Elle in “Omigod You Guys” was infectious and each sister has a distinct personality that added depth to Elle’s social world. The Delta Nu girls function as an energetic chorus and their tight choreography and harmonies amplify the playful tone of the musical. Congratulations to Keeley Denton (Margot) Freya Scott (Serena) and Stacey Gilyard (Pilar).

The ensemble in “Legally Blonde” play a vital role in bringing the energy and vibrancy of the story to life. They are the backbone of the show, providing crucial support in both musical numbers and storytelling moments. Their energy and dedication to numerous roles helps shape the tone of each scene, whether it's through high-energy dance routines, comedic scenes or creating the atmosphere in places like Harvard Law School, a courtroom or a designer clothes shop. This ensemble's strong presence reinforced the themes of empowerment, friendship and self-discovery and their seamless integration with the leads ensured that the show felt full of life. Without their dedication and enthusiasm, this musical wouldn't have the same level of excitement or emotional depth. So well done to Sarah Holmes, Toks Adeniji, Imogen Walsh, Daniel Jowett, Jennifer Smith, Julie Leonard, Sean Rushton, Toby Kershaw, Olivia Hunt, Sarah Farrow, Catherine Summers, Becky Widdop, Iris Still and Mia Halton.  

The two dogs, Rufus (Sadie) and Bruiser (Rolo), brought audible love from the audience as soon as they stepped paw on the stage. They were so well behaved and stole the spotlight whenever they appeared.

The set by Scenic Projects Ltd was vibrant and versatile, capturing the contrasting worlds of Elle’s sunny sorority life and the imposing halls of Harvard Law School. Bright, bold colors dominate the initial scenes, then subtly shift to a more muted, serious palette as Elle enters Harvard. Locations like Paulette’s beauty salon and Callahan’s law office are clearly defined, allowing each scene to feel unique. The sets was flexible and allowed for quick transitions, which kept the pacing tight. A well drill team led by Julia Taylor ensured every Bench came on at the right time and never affected the action on stage.

The sound and lighting was exceptional, ensuring that each vocal and instrumental part is balanced and clear. Microphone levels were well-managed and the mix between the orchestra and the voices was perfect.  The lighting is dynamic, enhancing the mood and atmosphere of each scene.

The costumes in Legally Blonde were vibrant and full of personality. The use of bright pinks, pastels and bold patterns really adding to the fun and upbeat atmosphere of the production. The team behind the costumes, as well as hair and makeup, did an incredible job bringing this world to life with such attention to detail and style. Huge congratulations to the entire team for their creativity and hard work in making everything look so dazzling!

The choreography in Legally Blonde is high-energy, dynamic and sharply executed. With numbers like “Omigod You Guys” and “Bend and Snap” you need  fast-paced, engaging and intricate moves that captures the energy of Elle’s sorority life and the colorful ensemble of supporting characters. Adele Taylor created some visually striking moments through some incredibly tight and well drilled dance routines. “Whipped into Shape” displays Adele’s innovative and adds a layer of complexity to the choreography, demonstrating her creativity and attention to detail. Huge congratulations must go to her team of dancers, Hannah Pickles, Eden Aliyu, Sofia Iredale, Samantha Roberts, Molly McMahon, Eva Henman, Amy McEvoy, Georgie Lindley and Emily Richmond who were slick and full of fire from start to finish.

Musically directed by Rob Durkin, this was another highlight of the show.  Bringing the catchy score to life with energy and precision is not an easy task but the live orchestra added a rich texture to each number. Songs were executed with precise timing and Rob’s careful attention to detail ensures that the orchestra supported rather than overwhelm the vocalists.

Michael Hellawell as Director did a fantastic job of balancing the story’s light-hearted, comedic elements with its more serious themes of empowerment and integrity. The pacing is brisk, keeping the energy high without sacrificing the emotional content. Scene transitions are smooth and well-executed, maintaining the audience’s engagement. Michael also managed to use the ensemble cast effectively, creating a rich backdrop that enhances the storytelling without detracting from the central plot.

HMTC production of Legally Blonde was a thrilling, heartfelt experience that captures the charm, humour, and depth of Elle Woods’ story. Each performance, from the leads to the ensemble and even the dogs, contributed to something that was both entertaining and emotionally resonant. A director’s vision, the vibrant choreography, the striking set and lighting plus an engaging live orchestra, combined to create a must-see performance that the whole audience quite rightly gave a standing ovation to. Congratulations on another sensational production and thank you for the warmest of welcomes.

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