Legally Blonde - The Musical

Legally Blonde - The Musical staged by students from Formby High School Musical Theatre Company, Formby High School, Freshfield Road, Formby on Friday, 24th March 2023.

Well hello, Formby High School and welcome to NODA (National Operatic and Drama Association!)  This is my first visit to FSH as the NODA North West District 6 Representative although my association with the school goes back to around 2012 when I was responsible for introducing FSH to the Pearl of Africa Children’s Choir from Uganda… that visit turned out to be the start of a fantastic relationship between FSH and the Ugandan Choir and a lasting relationship between myself, FSH, Mundo Afrika and their leader Steve Cook.

It really was a joy to be back…Legally Blonde is a 2007 musical; with music and lyrics by Laurence O'Keefe and Neil Benjamin. Based on a novel penned by Heather Hach and the award-winning film, both of the same name.  We are introduced to Elle Woods, the President of her UCLA Sorority Delta Nu’s, who passion is for pink, fashion and style! Elle crosses the country to enrol at Harvard Law School in an attempt to win back her ex-boyfriend Warner Huntington III. Discovering how her newfound skills and knowledge of the law can help others, Elle successfully defends Exercise Queen and Ex Delta Nu… Brooke Wyndham in a murder trial. Few people have faith in Elle, but she defies expectation whilst staying true to herself and proving that ‘pink’ can save the day!

If I may use the title of the opening song… ‘OMIGOD YOU GUYS’… ‘did anyone have chance to pause for breath when those lights came up, I don’t think so’… be ever so proud FSH, great show!

Production Team’ … of Mrs Harrocks (Producer/Director), Miss Dilworth (Musical Director), Miss Llewellyn (Assistant Direction/Teaching Artist) … Mrs Harrocks, Miss Llewellyn and Mrs Whitehead (Choreographers) should all be congratulated on their efforts!  Legally Blonde is a ‘fast moving show’, with many challenges…  including numerous scenes changes, countless costume changes, dance routines aplenty (choreography throughout was simple yet effective and played to the strengths of all involved) and many musical numbers to deal with … but as soon as those curtains parted and those lights came up, it was obvious that ‘everyone’ on stage and back stage were ready and willing give their all and when that happens, there’s very little more that you can ask!  We had some great dance routines that Well done everyone, be ever so proud!

The Cast… if you haven’t read a review of mine before, this is where I usually I ‘stick my neck out’ and start selecting favourites… MY favourites, MY ‘show stealer’ or ‘show stopper’ plus MY ‘favourite character(s)’ …
notice I say ‘MY’ favourites… ask anyone else present and I’m sure you’d get other choices, but these are mine…  so, where to start… let’s start with my ‘Show Stealer’ and then MY ‘fab four’ favourite characters…. ‘Show Stealer’ for me was Lana Jackson and her portrayal of ‘Paulette Buonufonte’ the quirky, dog loving hairdresser with the ‘biggest of hearts’!  Lana was the ‘perfect fit’ for this role creating the larger-than-life character that this role demands!  Great stage presence, good comedic timing… absolutely loved the ‘eyes’, ‘facial expressions’ and the ‘mannerisms’… good singing voice… be ever so proud Lana… wonderful job!  Pushing Lana for ‘top spot’ were my ‘fab four’… Sophie Walker provided us with a great ‘Vivienne Kensington’… the ‘uptight’ law student who is dating Elle’s ex, Warner.  Initially… anti Elle, but as time passes… they become good friends and colleagues!  Another who looked confident and totally comfortable with her role… good stage presence, good characterisation… well done Sophie, be proud!  Lilly Allen took on the demanding lead role of ‘Elle Woods’ the bubbly ‘Delta Nu Sorority President’ who ends up at Harvard Law School attempting to win back her boyfriend!  To play Elle requires a ‘big heart’ and a ‘great deal of stamina’!  Rarely off-stage with a myriad of quick changes to contend with and many songs to sing… Lilly took it all in her stride…  well done, Lily, be proud!  Elliot Evans took on the role of ‘Emmett Forrest’, the smart, charming, quirky law student who is one of the first to befriend Elle at Harvard!  I did feel that Elliot was a little nervous to start with, but as the show developed so did his confidence and his character!  As his confidence grew, so did his stage presence and the chemistry between himself and Elle… this came to the fore when he and Elle sang the title track ‘Legally Blonde’ in Act 2…  great rendition… a highlight from the show for me!  Be very proud Elliot… good job!  The last of my ‘fab four’ is Libby Taylor who played the ‘exercise queen and workout video star’ ‘Brooke Taylor Wyndham’… Brooke is the one on trial for murder, she has an alibi that she refuses to divulge fearing that it will ruin both her life and her reputation! Libby is another blessed with good stage presence, she showed off her obvious dancing ability in ‘Whipped into Shape’.  Well done, Libby, be proud young lady!  Phoebe Brereton took on the role of ‘Professor Callaghan’ the villainous, conniving law professor.  Zach Harding played ‘Warner Huntington III’, ex-boyfriend of Elle. Harrison Ashe took on the role of the delivery man ‘Kyle’.  Naomi Smith played ‘Chutney’ the actual murderer.  Ewan Harris played ‘Dewey’... Paulette’s ‘dog stealing’ ex-boyfriend.  THE ENSEMBLE … five ‘Delta Nu’s Sisters/Greek Chorus were named Bethany Maker played ‘Margot’, Elise Berger played ‘Serena’, Erin Ennis played ‘Pilar’, Sienna Wright played ‘Gaelen’, India Alston played ‘Kate’… making up the Sorority of Deltas Nu’s were Florence Raikes, Olivia Hall, Ellie-Mae Davies and Milly Johnson.  Students and Lawyers … Lexi Bird, Magda Matejkova, Meradith Noonen, Daria Trots, Leanne Farquhar, Ewan Harris, Kitty Cray, Grace McBride and Sophia Ashcroft.   Inmates & Beauty Shop Dancers…  Isabelle Smith, Hannah McCormack, Olivia Harkinson, Naomi Stevens, Hannah Baxter, Keri Rutland, Naomi Smith, Olivia Harkinson and Rebecca Pilkington.

Tech/Set/Staging… I mentioned above the ‘talent’ both ‘onstage and backstage’ … the staging was simple, yet very effective which allowed this challenging show to flow, which is always a ‘big challenge’.  A number of brightly decorated screens depicting areas were used throughout … those same screens were used to create areas for costumes changes … simple, ingenious and very effective!  Congrats to Miss Llewellyn (Stage Manager), and Papa Dilworth (Set Painter) and the un-named Tech Crew.  

Lighting/Sound… Reece O’Hare created the lighting design and Thomas Charnock was i/c Lighting and Sound… all three should be proud of what they helped achieve!  Well done everyone great job…..

Costumes were bright and colourful and enhanced the production so much … designed by Mrs Charnock (Wardrobe Mistress) and under the watchful eye of Camilla Dawson and Lizzy Charnock… well done ladies!

The audience’s response at the end of any show is always a useful indicator as to its success, but I also find ‘earwigging’ conversations as the audience leave as another useful gauge … so having now seen the show myself and having listened to the comments from the audience as they left and having witnessed the applause and cheers that greeted the final bows, there’s little or no doubt that this production was a success!

Constructive Advice… not wanting to be negative at all because I did really enjoy this production… this is purely ‘constructive advice’ for the development of future shows and something you may already be aware of!   There were times, during the production, when I found it difficult to hear some of the lyrics being sung, especially when being sung solo. When singers aren’t ‘miked’ and you have a full theatre, music playing, dancers dancing and actors’ moving, it can and did cause problems.  I could see and hear the effort being made to ‘lift and project’ voices, but it really didn’t help at times!  I know ‘cost’ can be prohibitive and sometimes the ‘sound desk’ being used isn’t capable of running multiple personal mikes… and I know ‘hanging mikes’ and/or ‘floor mikes’ aren’t ideal, but they may help… I only bring this up because I honestly didn’t want to miss a single lyric!  Hope I haven’t offended, never my intention!

Thank you so much for inviting Susan and I… thanks to Mrs Wilkins for her welcome and thanks to YOU the cast and crew for a wonderful evening.  Hope to see you all again soon!

Stay safe / keep well…. 
‘Stronger Together’
Jim Briscoe
NODA NW
District 6 Rep

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