If you’re a keen musical theatre fan, you should be familiar with the story of Elle Woods, which has been delighting audiences since its stage debut on Broadway in 2007. Elle, a blonde bundle of energy, follows ex-boyfriend Warner, who wants a partner who is “less of a Marilyn, more a Jackie”, to Harvard Law School in an attempt to win him back. Struggling at first to fit in with her snobby peers, she soon learns the importance of staying true to herself and defies everyone’s expectations, showing there’s more to her than meets the eye.
The only person on her side at first is law teaching assistant Emmett, played by David Barrett, who brings a personable charm to the role. Lucie Jones lights up the stage as Elle Woods, her comic timing is impeccable and she also proves herself as a first-class actress during the more serious moments in the show. Vocally, she is note-perfect and her stunning tone is a joy to listen to throughout the production. Watching the pair’s relationship blossom is a delight and there’s real chemistry between the actors making it even more believable.
Another standout performance comes from Rita Simons as Paulette, a funny, spirited hairdresser who befriends Elle. She commands the stage with confidence and great vocal talent and is met with an appreciative response from the audience following her heartfelt, strong performance of “Ireland”.
The ensemble should be commended for their sustained energy, particularly those involved in the well choreographed skipping sequence in “Whipped into Shape”, which opens Act 2.
The production includes exciting lighting and visual effects, including the clever use of UV skipping ropes which proved to be very effective. Jon Harris, Jason Bishop and David Shields’ set design is also good, particularly for the Harvard and courtroom scenes, which are brought to life well.
Directed and choreographed by Anthony Williams, this current UK touring production of Legally Blonde is full of fun, comedy and pink pizzazz, highlighting the importance of staying true to yourself. Whether you’re a long-standing Legally Blonde fan or have never seen it, you’re sure to leave the theatre on a pink, fluffy high, humming the catchy songs all the way home.
Reviewed by Emily K Neal
Photography by Robert Workman
LEGALLY BLONDE THE MUSICAL
is at The Churchill Theatre, Bromley until 23rd September followed by UK Tour
Former EastEnder Rita Simons, Lucie Jones (who is representing the UK in the Eurovision Song Contest with ‘Never Give Up On You’ on Saturday May 13), and Coronation Street and Emmerdale actor Bill Ward are to star in a major new UK tour of the smash-hit Broadway and West End show, Legally Blonde The Musical.
Legally Blonde The Musical also has two dogs in the cast, a Chihuahua called Bruiser and another called Rufus, a big, brutish, dog that only its mother could love! Bruiser is already cast and will be on the road but producers have decided to hold auditions for ‘Rufus’ in every town and city on the tour – more details to follow.
Legally Blonde The Musical is an all singing, all dancing romantic comedy, a fun-filled, feel-good pink fest. College sweetheart and homecoming queen Elle Woods, doesn’t take no for an answer. When her boyfriend dumps her for someone more serious, Elle puts down the credit card, hits the books and heads for Harvard Law School. Along the way, Elle proves that being true to yourself never goes out of style.
Based on the Reese Witherspoon film, Legally Blonde The Musical earned seven Tony nominations and 10 Drama Desk Award nominations during its Broadway run. In the UK it was nominated for 5 Laurence Olivier Awards winning 3 including Best New Musical, and was nominated for 8 WhatsOnStage Awards winning 4 including Best Musical.
Legally Blonde The Musical, with music and lyrics by Laurence O’Keefe and Nell Benjamin and book by Heather Hach, based on the novel by Amanda Brown and the MGM motion picture, will open at the Churchill Theatre, Bromley (18 – 23 Sept) then tour the UK and Ireland until June 2018.
Rita Simons (Paulette Bonafonte) is best known for playing Roxy Mitchell in BBC’s EastEnders for which she has won numerous awards and is one of Britain’s best loved actresses. She won Most Popular Newcomer at the National Television Awards and other awards and nominations include Best Newcomer at the Digital Spy Soap Awards, Best Onscreen Partnership for her character partnership with Ronnie Mitchell played by Samantha Womack (who is about to star in The Addams Family Musical), Best Newcomer at the TV Now Awards, a nomination for Best Newcomer at the 2008 British Soap Awards and Best Newcomer at the 2008 Inside Soap Awards. Rita has also appeared on TV in Mile High as Hannah, Dream Team as Julie and London’s Burning. In Spring 2012, Rita was the subject of a major documentary film Rita Simons: My Daughter, Deafness and Me made by Leopard Films for BBC1. Rita actively supports the charity RNID.
Lucie Jones (Elle Woods) is currently playing Maureen in the 20th anniversary UK tour of Rent. Her previous theatre credits include: Elle Woods in Legally Blonde (Leicester Curve); Molly in Ghost (Asian Tour); Victoria in American Psycho (The Almeida); Meatloaf in We Will Rock You (International Tour); Kelly Byrne in The Prodigals (Edinburgh Festival); Cosette in Les Miserables (Queens Theatre, West End and O2 Arena). Her TV acting credits includes: Melody Carver in Midsomer Murders (ITV); Louise in The Sarah Jane Adventures (BBC). Lucie was a finalist in the 2009 series of The X Factor.
Bill Ward (Professor Callahan) is best known for his work on two of the country’s leading soaps. He has just finished 3 years in Emmerdale, playing farmer James Barton (Ross, Pete and Finn’s Dad) for over 300 episodes, who met a gruesome, death at the hands of his emotionally volatile partner, Emma, in one of the biggest storylines of the year. Previously, he played the builder Charlie Stubbs in Coronation Street, also for 300 episodes, who was murdered by his emotionally volatile partner, Tracy Barlow, in one of the soap’s biggest storylines of the year. In addition to his many and varied TV and film credits Bill is no stranger to the stage and has worked on everything from Sophocles to The Spice Girls at Bristol Old Vic, Manchester Royal Exchange, Northern Stage, Clwyd Theatr Cymru, and The National Theatre Studio amongst others. He’s played Prospero in The Tempest in Guildford, Lancelot in Spamalot in the West End, and Kevin the Gnome in a muddy field in Glastonbury.
Also in the cast are: David Barrett (Emmett), Liam Doyle (Warner), Laura Harrison (Vivienne), Helen Petrovna (Brooke), Ben Harlow (Kyle), Nancy Hill (Enid), Rebecca Stenhouse (Margot), Delycia Belgrave (Pilar), Rachel Grundy (Serena), Lucyelle Cliffe (Elle’s Mom), Rosie Needham (Kate Chutney), Alexandra Wright (Leilana), Sally Frith (Gaelen), Mark Peachey (Elle’s Dad/Winthrop/Dewey), Michael Hamway (Aaron), Felipe Bejarano (Sundeep/Nikos), Brett Shiels (Grand Master Chad), Connor Collins (Carlos), Emma Prosser (Swing), Craig Tyler (Swing) and Bruisey (Bruiser).
