Legally Blonde

This was a new show for me, I knew very little about it, other than it having a fairly successful run in the West End.

Hannah Dorney, making her debut as leading lady Elle Woods, characterised very well, and brought plenty of energy to her role. Although dumped by her boyfriend Warner Huntington 111, played very well by Aron Armstrong, and despite many trials and tribulations at Harvard Law School, she comes out successfully, helped along the way by Emmett Forrest, well played by Dave Stockton and Paulette Bonufonte, very well played by Becky Hardman.I particularly enjoyed her rendition of ‘Ireland’, which she sang with a great amount of feeling. All the other principal parts were well played. I particularly enjoyed Grant Tebay,  in the cameo part of Carlos.I thought he sang and acted the role very well.

There were some  good choral numbers and ensembles. I thought the Cowper School of dance contributed a lot to the show, with excellent dance routines. Two of the troupe, Stephanie Bird and Sophie Edmondson even having roles to play.

Set and costumes were minimal but adequate. The downside for me was the position of the orchestra, which I felt was too loud and encroached on the audience seating. The outcome of this was that the onstage sound had to be turned up so loud it became distorted, resulting in the dialogue and singing difficult to understand. It is a great pity that the excellent orchestra pit is unavailable for use.

Its very good to see the Solway Hall being used again for live Musical Theatre. Well done to everyone concerned.

    

    

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