Legally Blonde The Musical

8 July 2023

MUSICAL THEATRE SALISBURY

LEGALLY BLONDE  The Musical

Salisbury Playhouse

Director Emma Clammer

Musical Director  Liz Weaver

Assistant Directors  Wen Archer , Antonia Harding

Legally Blonde the Musical is based on the 2001 novel by Amanda Brown, which was later adapted into a  film. In 2007 the musical adaption opened on Broadway  The show tells the story of Elle Woods, a sorority girl who enrols at Harvard Law School to win back her ex-boyfriend Warner.    To the surprise of everyone she discovers that she has a talent for law  and she successfully defends an older ex sorority girl in a murder trial.

It is a wonderful feeling to be asked to view this show knowing that the company had virtually sold out all the performances in advance, and there was certainly a feeling of excitement in the very busy theatre foyer before the show.

I had previously seen the show several years ago and I thought that it was a great choice for MTS. It certainly met my expectations, it was a very good production with an  excellent cast. The actress playing Elle Wood, was outstanding, a versatile actor with an wonderful singing voice ,who was also a talented dancer, a perfect choice for the role, she looked absolutely superb. I was also very impressed with performers portraying the roles of Paulette and Emmett.  It thought that it was well directed making  it a wonderful feel good show.

I was slightly disappointed to realised that there was not an orchestra and therefore had to assume that the music was provided by backing tracks which did seem to lack light and shade. The sound balance of the vocals  was generally very good  throughout,  but there was a few occasions when the Delta Nu’s were allowed to over power the excellent voice of Elle Wood

The simple set looked  good and worked very effectively. Occasionally there were some gaps in the scenery  where you could see the stage crew, which I did find a little distracting. There was also poor masking into the wings, because from our seat we could see quick changes taking place

The capacity audience was very supportive and very enthusiastic, with lots whooping and shouting, some not always in the right place , and they gave the company a very well deserved standing ovation at the end of the performance

Overall it was an Excellent show delivered by a very talent and hardworking cast, who I felt were slightly  let down by a few minor technical errors. But nevertheless it was a great show.

 

 

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