Lucie Jones and Rita Simons in the touring production of Legally Blonde The Musical. Picture: Robert Workman
Legally Blonde the Musical was reviewed at the New Wimbledon Theatre, London.
Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ✩
The current touring production of Legally Blonde The Musical, based on the ever-popular 2001 chick flick, has all the pink, purses and pooches one could hope for, so it’s easy to get swept up in the giggles and girliness.
However, there are some small directorial choices and technical issues which lessen the impact of the hilarious script and catchy songs.
The show opens in the Delta Nu sorority dorm with the song ‘Omigod You Guys’, where the sisters have found out their friend Elle Woods is going to be proposed to.
Whilst the director, Anthony Williams’ has been creative with the setting of the opening song, the comedic use of bicycles seems to dilute the point of the song – girly sisterhood – as there is less opportunity for the girls to communicate with each other. However, the show quickly gains pace and the bubble-gum coloured set and fairy lighting help us to acclimatise to the sorority way of life.
Williams’ energetic choreography is the perfect accompaniment to the score, and ‘What you Want’ displays both the creativity and talent of the cast. It was a shame that the microphones of some of the singers were not working, as this detracted from the call and response part of the song.
The choreography and dance talent build to a climax in the impressive and athletic routine ‘Whipped into Shape’ led by Helen Petrova. This number was a personal highlight of the evening and rightfully earned rapturous applause. Other amusing elements such as roller-skating cupids, Irish jigs and dancing mannequins really add to the overall fun-loving atmosphere of the show.
The cast all embraces the eccentricities of the Legally Blonde world. Rita Simons plays a fantastic Paulette Bonafonte. She has an excellent rapport with the audience and copes well with misbehaving doggy co-stars!
Lucie Jones is without doubt a fantastic performer with an incredible voice. However, she is not particularly suited to the role of Elle Woods. I found her interpretation of the cheerleader and sorority queen a little too goofy and clumpy. Her chemistry with co-star David Barrett as Emmett is lovely to watch, and the latter is completely charming.
This show is a fun-packed night out, and whilst there are small issues that detract from the overall spectacle, you cannot help but fall in love.
The whole audience was up on their feet dancing at the end for the Legally Blonde megamix and I definitely heard renditions of ‘Bend and Snap’ on the tube journey home.
Lani Calvert
SHARE THIS POST:
Comments are closed.