Legally Blonde

Colchester Operatic Society Second Edition (CO2)  were personally invited to perform this show by Joseph Weinberger before it goes on general amateur release in 2016, and a really excellent show played to very receptive audiences which was a huge boost for the society.

The Direction and Choreography by Adam Woodhouse was full on,and so packed with action from the very start.Terrific choreography with flair and imagination performed by a large cast,all totally absorbed in each and every routine.

This show had such support from the Orchestra led by Musical Director Neil Somerville, with talented musicians driving the company on throughout the show and as always the tempo’s were spot on in a show which demands pace.

The principals ,all well cast were on great form and excelled in their respective roles.

In the female lead we had the part played by Emily Bate and Shannon Hannah( on alternate performances) and I was fortunate to see both Emily and Shannon.

 Both ladies had great singing voices and played a demanding role with great confidence. This was Emily’s debut role with Colchester Operatic and I hope that we will see her in future productions.

Shannon we have seen before in many shows and as always her commitment to the production is exemplary. Both Emily and Shannon were a delight to watch.

Barney Fritz in the role of Emmett Forrest was so right in this part.

Barney takes every character he plays and makes them all so interesting and creative.This interpretation of Emmett was relaxed and enjoyable to watch.

Arianna Bland as Paulette  was terrific!With great sense of comic timing and sense of  fun the audience loved her, especially in her scenes with Kyle played by the very versatile Harry Totham. Harry also played a rather weird character in Dewy, but it was in the role of Kyle together with Paulette in the “River Dance” styled number with the cast, which was so perfectly drilled, when the audience showed their enjoyment of a show stopping number. A stand out performance here.

Will Mugford as Warner Huntington 111 was consistant and very good and I liked Wade Ablitt as Professor Callahan a very believable character.

The three Delta Nu’s, Margot, Pilar and Serena played by Ella D’arcy Jones,Sofia Caselli and Leonie Wall were full on in supporting Elle, all very bright fun characters with belting voices.

Kat Hinchcliffe as Brooke Wyndham came on to the scene in Act 11 as a fitness instructor and together with the dancers gave a slick routine which was clever and well presented.Good casting in this role and overall with main characters.

There were many other smaller roles within the production all essential to the story line and well played.

I must not forget the smaller stars of the show, ie.Bruiser played by Minnie a lovely little Chihuahua. Bruiser was also played by Bentley, another Chihuahua Rufus played by Bentley an English Bulldog, and also played by Poppy a Staffordshire Bull Terrier. All performed so well and when meeting up with their on stage partner it was delightful to see how pleased they were with lots of tail wagging from the little stars.Ooohs and Aaah’s from the audience showed how popular they were.

The set certainly worked the stage crew with heavy pieces to be moved on and off stage and the links were efficient and swiftly performed.

Great lighting added much to the production. Costumes were in the main good.

The feel of this show demands full on singing in a modern style and as such there was a hardness in the chorus singing at times and  together with the orchestra it was very loud, but all in all a credit to all working on a very demanding show. Well done to everyone ! Thank you also for your warm welcome and hospitality which is always appreciated very much. I look forward to both “Sister Act” and “Carousel” in 2016.

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