Legally Blonde

RTSA  once again showed audiences this week why they are one of the best youth groups in the area, as they returned to the Civic Theatre with their latest offering, Legally Blonde. 

Mr and Mrs Musical, Dee Bennie - Marshall, Director and Choreographer, and Matthew Symonds, Musical Director, did an amazing job of bringing together a first class cast to entertain the people of Rotherham. As one would expect, from a Dee show the dancing was slick and so energetic that I was tired just watching them. Matthew had worked hard with the cast to produce some powerful vocals and wonderful harmonies. The orchestra, under the direction of Symonds, was a delight to listen too. Two words can describe the partnership of Bennie-Marshall and Symonds. Dream team. 

The story of Legally Blonde is simple: boy leaves girl, girl follows boy, girl finds out she’s rather good at law, boy wants girl back, girl tells boy where to go. 

For Legally Blonde  to work you need a great leading lady. Here, RTSA hit the jackpot as Chloe Hind was exceptional.Not only did she look like Elle, but she I truly believed that she WAS Elle. Hind managed to get every characterisation spot on, and I noticed one or two members of the audiences wipe away tears at her rendition of the title of number. Hind was very well supported by the Delta Nu girls, Pennie Fox as Margot, Tilly Herbert as Serena and Lola Greaves as Pilar. I must say that Greaves was captivating to watch. 

Fresh from his performance as Tony in West Side Story, William Openshaw was a believable Emmett, Elle’s love interest. Openshaw treated us to beautiful vocals, with his ‘Chip On My Shoulder’ being a personal highlight. The role of Paulette was played by the always impressive, Brooke Green. Green made this comedy character believable. And not just a caricature who was there for laughs.  You could hear a pin drop in the audience as she performed ‘Ireland’. Tommy Gossage played UPS guy, Kyle, and quickly became an audience favourite with his hilarious struts across the stage. Belle Pickering was hysterically funny as fellow law student, Enid Hoops, and provided many of the nights laugh out loud moments. 

Elle’s nemesis, Vivienne, was played with just the right amount of bitchiness by Sophie Antcliff. Antcliff’s powerhouse voice rocketed during the Legally Blonde remix, which was a delight. Billy Newhouse played the arrogant Warner Huntington, performed with great style and gave a good interpretation of this superficial character. Eva Falsone Liptrott, as exercise queen, Brooke Wyndham performed with gusto and so much energy that I also felt that I had been whipped into shape. Cole Stuart Foxton, was funny and wicked in equal measure as the utterly despicable Professor Callaghan. However I must say, from one Callaghan to another, I was secretly hoping he’d get the girl, but alas. 

There are too many characters to mention all by name, but I must mention as William Pawson and George Smith. These two performers were excellent  as Nikos and Carlos respectively. There ‘Gay or European’ number was comedy gold. 

With a great set from Scenic Projects, fabulous props, beautiful costumes (well done Kath Wall), effective lights, and probably the best sound I’ve heard for the years at the civic, all added to the overall production of this great show. 

Well done RTSA, I loved it. Snaps!

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