Legally Blonde The Musical

STOKE YOUTH MUSICAL THEATRE 

LEGALLY BLONDE  The Musical

Legally Blonde The Musical, Music and Lyrics by Laurence O’Keefe and Neil Benjamin, Book by Heather Hach, based on the novel by Amanda Brown. The script and lyrics are very witty and extremely funny, Director James Dawe saw to it that they were conveyed to the audience with panache and zeal.

An almost phrenetic paced opening number, Omigod You Guys set the tone well, lively well observed humorous choreography, the cast alive to any and every nuance, knowing looks, in jokes, all drawing you into the Delta Nu universe.

What You Want, Elle’s musical resume, filled the stage, marching bands cheer leaders, great sense of fun and expectation. Fabulous costumes throughout the show, swiftly changed at times; capturing the essence of American teens, the contrast from West to East coast was almost under the radar subtle but gave our heroine Elle Woods, Poppy Moore, huge scope to flaunt her extremely talented stage craft chops. Excellent all-round performance.

Elle supported from the get-go by Margot, Serena, and Pilar - Madeline Lusby, Emily Marshall and Zea Shone respectively, bringing a sorority sisterly feel to their scenes together, great interaction.

Equally impressive was Jess Lello as Paulette Buonufonte. Hair stylist, romanticist supreme, a real hoot, her Irish Riverdance style jig with UPS Man Kyle, (outrageous scene stealer) aka Arron Johnstone, was laugh out loud funny. Very entertaining the pair of them.

Fish out of water Elle, entering the high-pressure environment of Harvard Law, learning under the ultra-stern control of Professor Callahan, Tristan Hood, whose portrayal of this egotistical officious entitled lawyer was exceptional, the Blood In The Water number was sublime.

Finding her love interest, former boyfriend Warner, Max Hills has moved on with his route to US President life plan, now dating the oh so serious Vivienne, Emily Durber, who takes an instant dislike to pink loving Elle, mocks and humiliates or at least tries to. A good deal of judging of books by covers going on, which was brilliantly written and performed.

An absolute slew of numbers featuring clever lyrics, showed the cast off in every department. Culminating in Elle winning her case for Brooke Wyndham, played by the singing skipping Millie Kempson whose Whipped Into Shape number was astonishing.

Director James Dawe seems to deliver endlessly in his role, the work ethic and determination he generates in is cast is a joy to watch. Great use of the Rep theatre’s revolving stage, swiftly changing the scene, keeping the pace moving well. Lighting, sound, and visuals were top notch.

Many congratulations to Choreographer Grace Cooper, on her first professional engagement. She gave us some real stylized elements, evoking captured hints of all manner of classic and modern influences, I’m sure at one point I saw hints of West Side Story, perfectly matching the pizzicato strings. Cast thoroughly engaged, smiling, enthusiastic and classy performances – well done.

Musical Director Jo Smith seems to garner a real passion from her musicians and singers, again the sheer enthusiasm shone from the stage, the depth of tone and expression from her musicians in bringing the diverse collection of genres to the theatre was a veritable treat for the ears. Some of the amazing fast lyrical content could quite easily have been lost, the fact that it was delivered so effortlessly speak volumes of her tutorage.  She speaks of having pleasure and privilege in seeing these young people, mature and achieve, she should also add pride to that list, because her charges certainly did her proud.

The off the chart feel-good factor of overcoming the odds emanated from the stage throughout the show. A fabulous show.   

 

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