This show is based on the famous Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer movie, Legally Blonde, starring the adorable Reese Witherspoon and based on the novel by Amanda Brown and the so when I heard it had returned to the London stage, I knew I had to see it, as it’s one of my favourite films, starring of my favourite actresses of all time and I’d missed out the last time around a couple of years ago.
To be totally honest, I wondered if the musical would be a patch on the film, as it’s so well-known, with so much expectation from diehard fans like myself, I didn’t want them to ‘ruin‘ it, and as a fellow creative, I didn’t envy the person who had this mammoth task of finding the right balance of being creative, but also staying true to the beloved characters and script.
Synopsis
Omigod you guys, meet fashion merchandising major Elle Woods (Courtney Bowman) and her college sweetheart Warner Huntington III (Alistair Toovey). Popular, stylish, they have the perfect relationship. That is until Warner heads to Harvard Law School and decides that he needs a more ‘serious’ kind of girlfriend.
Dumped, Elle embarks on a drastic plan to win him back. But, on the way, she discovers that there’s more to love – and definitely Elle Woods – than meets the eye. Directed by Lucy Moss, co-writer and co-director of the smash-hit musicalΒ SIX, it’s time to bend and snap, people!
My Thoughts
Truthfully, this show has re-ignited my love for Musical Theatre (not that it needed re-igniting), but it was SO refreshing in every way. Let me explain…
First, on arrival, the set was spectacular monument of pink and gold, you just couldn’t get more ‘Elle’ than this, it was gloriously girly, so pretty! The limited space was used very creatively and scene changes were seamless with little distraction and the multi-use of some props.
The cast are A* World-class performers who are all triple-threats – fantastic actors, singers and dancers, a few have already worked together on the hit West End production, Six The Musical, which has rave reviews, but I am still yet to see, but I can see why if the level of talent shown in this production is anything to go by.
From the annoying characters like Warner (Alistair Toovey), Vivienne (Vanessa Fisher) and Professor Callahan (Eugene McCoy)
…to Elle’s loyal sisterhood of friends, including the fantastic, Nadine Higgin, who I have to admit, her vocals and stage presence literally blew me away, she is absolutely fantastic as Paulette, Nadine is a true star! I really thought no one could be more loveable than the original Paulette in the film, but I was proved very, very wrong!
As a dance teacher and choreographer myself, I am extremely focused on choreography, and I must say, it wasn’t just your cheesy, basic choreography that you give to actors who can’t dance, although it wasn’t highly technical, the dance moves gave the fun, fresh feel to accompany the fantastic soundtrack, so amazing job to Ellen Kane (the staging & choreography director) – and let me tell you, the songs in this show are so good – a BIG SHOUTOUT to the songwriters and musical directors, Laurence OβKeefe and Nell Benjamin for the songs that I will most likely be playing all summer – my particular favourites are – OMIGOD You guys!, Ireland, and There! Right There! but they’re all good songs…
Find your own favourites from the amazing soundtrack on Spotify…
Also, I must mention the ingenious opening of the second half, the performance and choreography is pure gold! This scene had every audience member on the edge of their seats, watching intensely for an error or mishap, which could have easily occurred with this skipping rope sequence – This scene alone is worth the ticket price – believe me…
Lauren Drew, who plays Brooke, gave a fantastic triple-threat performance in this show, she is also from SIX The Musical fame.
Lauren and some of the ensemble amaze the audience whilst singing and rope-skipping without so much as missing a beat, it’s truly a breath-taking watch!
One of the main issues that stand out about this production is the diverse casting, which I must say, as a woman of colour, “Never did I ever, expect to see Elle Woods, played by someone who looks like me” and to the producers and casting professionals, I say, “Thank You xoxo”.
In the original film, the all the characters are White/Eureopean desent, so there was no expectation of Elle, Paulette or Emmett to be cast as people of colour, also, Elle is a typical, popular LA Cali Girl, Blonde, Skinny, Rich are all the connotations associated with these girls, not of colour and plus-sized with actual curves.
The fact that show still emanates the themes and message of the original film without having to stick to it’s original casting metric, is a mark of true creativity, talent and imagination from all involved – it also truly proves the magic of theatre – that great storytelling is relevant to us all, and we can all relate, no matter what we look like.
Get yourself a ticket, quickly before they sell out…
Donβt forget to wear waterproof clothing in case of rain, as umbrellas are not allowed.
Performances
13th May β 2nd July 2022
Tickets From
Β£15.00 (Β£12.50 under 18s)
Prices include booking fees of Β£1.80 commission.
Show Times
Mon β Sat @ 7.45pm (gates 6.15pm)
Thurs & Sat @ 2.15pm (gates 12.45pm)
Theatre
Regents Park Open Air Theatre
Age recommendation
12yrs +
Click here for more details and tickets
Thanks for reading and enjoy the show!
Chanel x
Chanel Williams
ItΓs hard to come by educated people about this topic, however, you seem like you know what youΓre talking about! Thanks