Legally Blonde the Musical continues at Assembly Rooms – Music Hall, Edinburgh until 24 August 2019.
Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ✩
“Before #MeToo there was Legally Blonde, singing out loud and clear that we will not and cannot be ignored” – so says director Alexandra Spencer-Jones who has worked with a crack class of 2019 MA students from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland to deliver this deeper than at first revealed musical which needs, like Elle Woods, to be judged by songs and drama and not by the very pink and blonde first impressions.
It’s a great drama academy and conservatoire show because it gives so many strong cameo roles to journey with the title character, powerfully played by Vanessa Campbell in this production, and for an MA showcase it allows for older voices and stage presence to balance with younger players.
A packed and cheering audience enjoyed a smoothly designed and richly danced version. The opening of the show is so over the top and high-pitched pink, that it feels wonderful when we settle into some of the scenes and the drama.
What a showcase for all these future performers and theatre-makers. I jotted down a few names to keep an eye on in the future as they popped for me in the ensemble or delivered one of the standout numbers – but this is an ensemble show and a credit to all involved in the production realisation.
Chris Grady
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