Legally Blonde
Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre
Reviewed – 24th May 2022
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“It is a joy ride, although it does sometimes feel like youβre riding on a bus full of teenagers”
So where exactly did the stereotype originate? The Blonde Stereotype that is. Negative (βdumb blondeβ) or otherwise (βblonde bombshellβ), the perception of blonde-haired women has ignored the lack of evidence that suggests that blondes are less intelligent than other people. The first recorded βdumb blondeβ appeared in a French play in 1775; βLes CuriositΓ©s de la Foireβ. She was dumb in the literal sense in that she didnβt talk much. Since then, blondes have had more fun, gentlemen have preferred them, and Hitchcock has fetishized them.
In 2001, writer Amanda Brown wrote about her experience as a blonde at Stanford Law School in various letters to friends which later became a novel and the box office success that was βLegally Blondeβ. The musical, with music and lyrics by Laurence OβKeefe and Nell Benjamin and book by Heather Hach, opened on Broadway in 2007 to mixed reviews. Itβs West End run, starring Sheridan Smith, won three Olivier Awards, including Best Actress in a Musical for Smith.
The temptation is strong to focus on the possible relevance the story might have in todayβs society. It is a clichΓ© to state that times have certainly changed since the narrative themes burst forth into our consciousness. But it is safe to say that Lucy Mossβ staging is as self-aware as it can possibly be. Moss, riding on the global success βSixβ, brilliantly uses the opportunity to satirise pretty much every stereotype possible. Nobody is safe. But what is extraordinary under her direction is the sheer sense of fun she brings to the production.
βSixβ alumni Courtney Bowman commands the stage as the central character, Elle. Heartbroken after being dumped by her boyfriend Warner (Alistair Toovey) for not being serious enough, she decides she can win him back by showing she can achieve the same ambitions in the legal profession as him. In a plot line that loses touch with any form of credibility, she is accepted into the law school, rises high against odds and prejudices and eventually surpasses Warner. Along the way, everybody is put in their place, including misogynist law professors, jealous perjurers, closet gays. In fact, the characters who come out on top are the underdogs. The seemingly vacuous who ultimately reveal more depth than those who mock them.
Despite being hindered by a predominantly unmemorable score, the show still wins us over with its anergy and infectious comedy. And a couple of musical delights. The wit of OβKeefe and Benjaminβs lyrics shine through in particular during βSeriousβ, βBlood in the Waterβ and βGay or Europeanβ which is surely the highlight of the night. It is miraculous how the words are sung so clearly with tongues so firmly set in the cheek. Homophobia, jingoism, and a whole host of other βismsβ are shot to the ground in a joyous few minutes of musical theatre snap, crackle and pop. Act Two opener, βWhipped Into Shapeβ showcases Ellen Kaneβs slick choreography, pushing the all singing, all dancing ensemble to the limit.
βLegally Blondeβ retains its comedy and loses none of its subversiveness in this brash and thoroughly camp production at Regents Open Air Theatre. It is a joy ride, although it does sometimes feel like youβre riding on a bus full of teenagers. Whilst there is little room for subtlety against the backbeat and spectacle, the current MT trend to introduce a Disney, cartoon-like, nasal shrillness to the delivery does grate over a couple of hours. But itβs worth it to reach the happy ending, buoyed up by the feel-good sensations that bounce the evening along.
Reviewed by Jonathan Evans
Photography by Pamela Raith
Legally Blonde
Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre until 2nd July
Last show reviewed at this venue:
Romeo and Juliet | β β β β | June 2021
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