Oh My God you guys, it’s PINK!
Yes, bright pink is the signature colour of this show from the very beginning. Excellently directed by Courtney Cassar, this show is high octane energy. Whilst seeming to be superficial this show does look at contemporary issues such as chauvinism, gender politics and the law.
Based on the novel Legally Blonde by Amanda Brown and the 2001 film of the same name, this musical tells the story of Elle Woods, a sorority student who enrolls at Harvard Law School, complete with purse pooch, in an attempt to win back her ex-boyfriend Warner. She grows and changes as she discovers how her knowledge of the law can help others, and successfully defends exercise queen Brooke Wyndham in a murder trial. No one really has faith in Elle Woods throughout the show, but she manages to surprise them when she defies their superficial expectations and transforms from law school embarrassment to valedictorian.
The orchestra, conducted by Mark Pigot, is tremendous. The show is slick and fast paced and the cast perform with a relentless, boundless energy.
Jess T’s snappy choreography combines traditional ‘showbiz’ choreography with a dash of Fosse, breakdancing and Irish dancing among other styles. Paulette and Kyle’s leading the cast in a wickedly delightful Michael Flatley take–off in Act 2 brings the house down. And the dynamic Bend and Snap is quite hot and steamy.
Scenery, costumes and lighting were sensational, with plenty of streamlined, fly in-out scene changes and the very effective use of a plain but atmospherically lit curved cyclorama screen at the back .
There was terrific ensemble work and the huge production numbers like Whipped Into Shape were tightly and precisely performed. The ‘Greek chorus’ of Elle’s Delta Nu friends worked well.
Our leading lady Elle Woods was superbly played by Laura Sheldon. It’s a big role. Laura changes from blonde to brunette and back again, and there are plenty of costume changes.
Laura shows great comic timing in the courtroom scenes where Elle uses her infallible ‘Gaydar’, and with the help of the rest of her team, unlocks the case and reveals the true culprit.
Warner Huntington 111, whose break up with Elle inspires her to follow him to Harvard, is well played by Peter Meredith. He is played as a pompous, stuffed shirt,
Snobby, elegant Vivienne Kensington, Warner’s icy new girlfriend, the snobby, elegant Vivienne Kensington, was well played by Bonnie Kellet.
Miriam Ramsay impresses in the part of imprisoned murder suspect Brooke Wyndham and brilliantly leads the cast in the high energy Whipped Into Shape.
Shaun Young was a delight as the handsome, curly haired,very intelligent, caring and enthusiastic teaching assistant Emmett Forrest.
Kevin Potter shone as the tall, elegant, very distinguished Professor Callahan. Ruthless, he advises his students he wants to see Blood in the Water.
Jocelyn O’Brien had some scene stealing moments as beauty parlour owner Paulette and particularly impressed in the number Ireland.
Plenty of loud cheers even screams greeted the end of this exuberant production.
Running time 2 hours 40 mins (approx) including one interval.
The Willoughby Theatre Company’s production of LEGALLY BLONDE is playing the Concourse, Chatswood until the 25th October.
Cast List:-
ELLE WOODS- Laura Sheldon
EMMET FORREST- Shaun Young
WARNER HUNTINGTON III- Peter Meredith
PAULETTE BONAFONTE- Jocelyn O’Brien
PROFESSOR CALLAHAN- Kevin Potter
VIVIENNE KINGSTON- Bonnie Kellett
-BROOKE WYNDHAM- Miriam Ramsay
MARGOT- Stephanie Edmonds
SERENA- Cassandra Smith
PILAR- Erin Carlton
KATE-Skye Roberts
ENID HOOPES- Tara Barr
DEWY/KYLE- Damien Schmitt