Legally Blonde

Elle Woods is a fashionable sorority queen of her college -- she has it all, a handsome boyfriend, wealth, and status. Things begin to change for Elle when her boyfriend Warner dumps her and when reaching Law-School he starts dating Vivienne, a law student. Elle decides to win back her former boyfriend by applying to Harvard Law School. She is able to pass her test and get into Harvard. Being in Harvard may not be easy for Elle, she soon falls for Emmett and befriends Paulette, a manicurist at the nail salon. Along the way, Elle decides to take her studies more seriously and she must take on a court case when her role model Brooke Windham is accused of murdering her husband. Elle is determined to prove Brooke's innocence.

A good looking predominantly pink set (of course) proved to be versatile and very well managed throughout. Lighting and sound were effective, although it took a while to tune in to some of the dialogue in the early scenes against the accompaniment. The opening number ‘Ohmigod You Guys’ was full of energy and set the style and pace for many of the following scenes. We soon met Elle played by Sarah Stanley who was excellent throughout and although Warner her Boyfriend who has political aspirations is smitten, he considers Elle is not a serious enough partner for the future, as he is destined for Harvard, and so breaks up with her. Marcus Davis as Warner had good stage presence and also sang very well.

I enjoyed the style of choreography throughout and Elle’s personal essay staged to get her into Harvard was no exception – very loud and brash. A word here for two very well-behaved dogs ‘Bruiser’ (Maud) and later ‘Rufus’ (Luna) who did all that was required with ease. Elle is admitted into Harvard initially it has to be said for her good looks, courtesy of the selection team who managed to persuade a conniving Prof. Callaghan to take Elle. Callaghan well played by Matthew Owens is looking for four special interns and his number ‘Blood in the Water’ was excellent.

Elle meets Emmett, sensitively played by Steven Miller, who shows sympathy for Elle’s position at the same time encouraging her to actually work. Their number ‘Chip on my Shoulder’ with the Greek Chorus, Margot (Loren Howland), Pilar ( Rachel Samson)  and Serena (Charliee Roberts) was excellent. In the mean-time Elle has befriended Paulette the manicurist, played by Lois Thomson, who created a great character and sang ‘Ireland’ with passion. Elle has learnt that Warner has a new girlfriend, the more serious Vivienne, also well played by Callie Geary, who resentfully sets up Elle for an alleged costume party, hoping to humiliate her.

Back in the salon, Paulette receives a package from and rather falls for Kyle the delivery man, played with great fun by Nick Cosnett. Paulette explains to Elle that she lost her dog Rufus, when splitting up with Dewey after they had been together for 10 years. They visit Dewey, played with great characterisation by Paul Tapley and Elle uses her newly acquired legal knowledge to return Rufus to Paulette!

Act 2 opened with an impressive skipping routine led by Brooke (Cat Reeves), a fitness queen and workout video star, who has found herself charged wrongly with the murder of her husband. Callaghan and the interns need to seek out her alibi, but only Elle who recognises Brooke from their former Sorority House, can extract this but is sworn to secrecy. Back at the salon, the girls show Paulette the ‘Bend and Snap’ routine to try on Kyle, which was excellent and later in the Courtroom during Brooke’s defence, the number ‘Gay or European’ was great fun. Eventually Elle proves that Brooke is innocent and attracts the inappropriate attention of Callaghan, which was well handled. The duet between Elle and Emmett ‘Legally Blonde’ took the tempo down nicely and was an excellent number.

Beyond the main principals there were some other notable performances including Jess Lawson (Enid Hoopes), Peter Rowe (Elle’s Dad) Charlotte Worrall (Elle’s Mum), Vicky Shone (Kate), Cain Groom (Nikos), Sue Poultney (Judge) and Hannah Eakins (Chutney). An overall performance that had the audience standing with appreciation of the cast and work of Director Paul Turvey, Musical Director Andrew Hemming and Choreographer Vicky Shone. Congratulations to all involved, on, front and back stage. Thank you again for the usual warm welcome.

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