Legally Blonde jr

This being a ‘Jr’ version it was timed around 70 minutes and was performed without interval. This lack of break, however, did not allow the pace to slacken which was ‘full on’ from start to finish.

Most people know the story of Legally Blonde from the film starring Reece Witherspoon telling of ‘Elle Woods,’ the somewhat ditzy blonde of an all-girl sorority house who joins Harvard Law school to win back the love of her life – and ends up finding much much more.

In Drama Geeks version (all performers ranging from about 11 to 17) the part of ‘Elle’ was played by the indomitable Macie Sinclair who, by this performance alone, is destined for higher accolades in the future. Wearing the trademark blonde wig Macie thundered through this role like a juggernaut as she hit every line, every note of her songs and every facial expression and nuance of her character (along with eleven costume changes – some fairly quick). Elle’s ex-boyfriend, who she was desperate to re-kindle a romance with, ‘Warner Huntington III’ was played, with suitable unplaced arrogance by Calum McNair, such that the audience just wanted Elle to ‘do better.’

Taking, the overwhelmed at first, Elle under his wing was past graduate of the college, ‘Emmett Forrest’ (Alfie Jones). At first the relationship is strictly student/mentorship, but mutual respect and time cause the first sparks of something more and it was magnificent to see the development of their characters throughout the plot brought to life by Macie and Alfie.

‘Warner’s current girlfriend and upper echelon fellow law student was ‘Vivienne Kensington’ (Lucy Stephenson) who is ‘hard’ and unwavering toward Elle at first but through the plot develops a respect for her – Lucy played the complexities of her role to perfection.

Law firm associate, and course principal, was ‘Professor Calahan’ (Ava Lugsden) – at only 14 many might worry that Ava wouldn’t be able to pull off such a meaty role and do it justice – well Ava proved all would be doubters wrong with her polished performance of the ruthless professor.

All good law dramas need a person to defend and ‘Brooke Wyndham’ (Charlotte Hall) was that person – keep fit guru and past delta-nu sorority member, Brooke is up on murder charges but gives her alibi to Elle only on the condition that she doesn’t disclose the fact she was having lipo-suction on the day. Charlotte, alongside her fellow ‘inmates,’ impressed with her characterisation, singing and skipping routine.

Elle often visits her favourite hair salon ‘Hair affair’, a place where she meets the flamboyant hair stylist ‘Paulette Bonafonte’, played with panache by Eva Craig who confidently powered her way through her song ‘Ireland’ and performed her ‘bend and snap’ so effectively with her would-be partner and diminutive delivery man ‘Kyle’ (William Wright).

The show was not just principals but embellished by a superb ensemble of ‘delta-nu’ girls, fellow law school students, stylists, dancers, and law school alumni way too many to mention but who all played their part to the improvement of the whole finished production.

Dancing and stage movement was excellent, singing superb and acting amazing.

I cannot go without mentioning one actress who stole the hearts of all who saw her – the 7-year-old chihuahua ‘Bruiser Woods’ played with ultimate calmness and poise by ‘Dolly’.

The whole production was enhanced by the use of a video wall that set the scenes and was a tremendous asset in allowing the multiple scene changes to run smoothly.

Well done to all the production team for putting the infrastructure together to allow the young performers to shine – and shine they did.

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