Legally Blonde

Your programme has plenty of information about the history of the musical and there’s little I can add to it. ‘Legally Blonde’ tells of a young woman following her ex-boyfriend to Harvard Law School, as a student, in the hopes of winning him back. Whilst she’s there she rather unexpectedly discovers her own intelligence and potential and in doing so she overcomes stereotyping, embraces who she is and gets her man – although not the one originally intended!

The set was rather plain and didn’t add much visually to the production. Perhaps something to represent the campus, where quite a bit of the action takes place would have helped. There were a few steps upstage right and left and of course a door. Furniture and properties were used to create the café, offices, classroom and hairdressers etc.

The opening number was good and the choreography was well rehearsed with routines that felt highly appropriate for students at University in the USA. There was a large ensemble of very competent ladies who were full of enthusiasm throughout the show and looked as though they were loving every minute of being on stage.

In the role of Elle Woods, Harriet Langton was first rate. She epitomised the dumb blonde image and her energy was amazing. A great deal of attention had gone into her costumes and accessories, even down to the pencil with a pink pom-pom and of course the little dog just added the finishing touches.

Michael Podgorney played the likeable, laid-back Emmet Forest who Elle comes to realise is really the one for her, and he gave a good performance.

Warner Huntington III had plans to become a Senator and instead of proposing to Elle, which is what she expects when he takes her out for dinner, he tells her it’s all over. What a cad! He then goes on to get engaged to an old flame who’s much more ‘suitable’ in the marriage stakes. Shaams Dally played this character convincingly and he got his come-uppance when Elle in turn refuses him, having made her mark at Harvard as an up-and-coming lawyer.

Megan Beard was brilliant as the hairdresser Paulette Bonafonte. She is a natural comedienne and gave a memorable performance.

Ian Cowden gave a good performance as Professor Callahan.

Special mention to Jonathan Payne for his cameo role of Kyle – it was priceless and he and Megan worked together wonderfully as the newly acquainted Kyle and Paulette. The ‘custody dog’ almost stole the scene with his frantically wagging tail – really cute.

There are over 20 other named characters in the show plus the ensemble and they all gave strong support to the principals. I liked the Greek Chorus and their involvement and the other professors were good too. A musical would be nothing without the company’s involvement and there was plenty of it in ‘Legally Blonde’.

One thing that I felt was really disappointing was the costume plot. University students in England may well dress in grey, black and other drab colours but they don’t in California! I appreciate that Elle had to stand out in her pink outfits, which were all amazing and she certainly did, but she would have still been seen as Elle on stage had the company been in less dour colours.

One of the best scenes for me was the gymnasium in the Correctional Facility. I loved the bright orange costumes of the inmates and the work-out routines. The girls managed to sing and skip at the same time - not an easy feat but they made it look so - brilliantly done.

Lighting and sound were both good.

The band led by Dick Stockton accompanied the vocalists splendidly but there were some underscored bits of dialogue that were not so easy to hear. 

Most of the music is foot tapping and I particularly enjoyed ‘Serious’, ‘Bend and Snap’ and ‘Ireland’.

Natasha Tate’s choreography was very fitting for the show and the company performed the routines energetically.

Direction was good and Jen made the most of the cast's talent – the audience were clearly loving it! The finale was super.

Your programme is attractively presented and with a photograph of the whole cast which is a lovely idea, especially as they all had so much involvement, most taking a number of parts.

Thank you for inviting me to see ‘Legally Blonde’. It was a good evening’s entertainment and, as always, I was well looked after by the FOH.

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