Legally Blonde

Riverside is a thriving junior performing arts society normally based at the Priory Centre in St Neots, but due to refurbishment is, like all the other PC users, currently in a temporary home, in this case, The Village Hall at Little Gransden. To which they have adapted very well indeed. The group is divided by age groups into seniors and juniors and this production of Legally Blonde was performed by the senior group and directed by Richard Mann and Harriet Powell.

The 2007 musical version of Legally Blonde is based on the 2001 film which itself is based on the self-published book by Amanda Brown. It tells the story of Elle Woods who having been dumped by her boyfriend Warner for not being “serious enough”, follows him to Harvard Law School to win him back.  On the way she proves herself to have the intellect to make a fine lawyer herself; all the while challenging stereotypes, making new friends and even finding love.

As the get-in was only the day before, the building of a comprehensive set is not a practical proposition, so cleverly and wisely the many scenes were depicted via a back screen in simple digital images including a restaurant, a classroom, a hair dressing saloon, a trailer park, a prison, a clothes shop and a gym. All helping to make scene changes slick and instant. An innovative and workable solution. The stage itself is blessed with large wings on either side with doors into the auditorium and of which the action made full use, often performing dance numbers on the auditorium floor and then quickly exiting back into the wings via them. Very slick.

Sound and Lighting by Jonathan Tompkins and Phantom Power Ltd was very well done with face mics all working well (a small miracle!) and all cued on time. Though perhaps clear or skin coloured tape to hold them in place would have been better than white.

This group if not anything are certainly brimming with confidence and enthusiasm. The crowd scenes, clearly well directed, and in less competent hands could have come across as organised chaos. This small stage with a cast approaching thirty, was of course totally appropriate for a student campus. And out of this melee would come some superb well drilled choreography by Ellen Tipping. Most of this young chorus, with lots of smiling faces have already taken in the first rule of choreography, ‘Stick your chest out and smile and,’ you will take the audience with you which was both unexpected and fabulous to see and certainly bodes well for their future stage careers. Particularly well demonstrated in Omigod you Guys.

The excellent band under the direction of MD Ian Tipping, some positioned in full view either side of the stage extension and some in the Green Room were very much on form: Karen Mason, Claire Rawson and Susanna Hepper on Reed 1,2 and 3, Chas Hutchins on Trumpet 1, Isaac Hutchings on Trumpet 2 (virtual), Ian Tipping on Bass and Trombone (Virtual), Jenny Warburton on Keyboard, Frank Ducker on Guitar and Jude Warehand on Drums.

As I said earlier the acting in this was full of confidence and the main characters all got their characters across well. Emma L was a very suitable Elle Woods, with a full range of emotions and a very impressive vocal range. Issac W as selfish sleaze-ball Warner had thought out his shallow character very well and quickly had us rooting for him to get his comeuppance. Jared as the sympathetic listener Emmett was particularly impressive as Elle’s new ‘friend,’ with a natural stage presence and good singing voice. The same could be said of Ellie as Elle’s Hair Dressing Saloon owner Paulette, giving Elle moral support throughout. It’s not easy for a teenager to play a mature adult but hats off to Zach who took on the role of Professor Callaghan and absolutely nailed the part. His height certainly helped, towering above the entire cast, but he took full advantage and gave a great mature characterisation.

Good supporting roles from Sian as Warner’s new girlfriend Vivienne, a forceful scheming part she mastered well, Alanna, Phoebe and Beth as Serena, Margot and Pilar the Delta Nu sorority house members, Hattie as feminist campaigner Enid, and to Aoibhe who played the accused, Brooke in the murder trial.

Well done also to:  Louie, Isaac H, George, Blake, Hannah, Evie, Imogen, Will, Kiran, Connie, Nelly, Katrina, Francesca, Josie, Emma C, Harriet and Ivy who played a multitude of roles between them.

If this show is anything to go by Riverside are certainly a force to be reckoned with amongst the youth groups of District 2. So well done to Directors Richard Mann and Harriet Powell for a thoroughly entertaining production, with a lot of budding talent on show. I very much look forward to seeing you all again especially once we are all back in the Priory Centre with its updated facilities.

Thank you, as always, for your excellent hospitality.

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