Get your Bend…….And Snap ready because Legally Blonde The Musical has landed this week at the New Victoria Theatre, and last night I went to see its opening performance.
The US didn’t overly embrace this Broadway show however it was well received here in the UK and it is back on the road again travelling across the length and breadth of the country from Sept 17 through to June 18.
Split into two acts this high octane performance was full of energy, laughs and slapstick humour throughout. The bubbly blonde Elle Woods was covered by Rebecca Stenhouse, who absolutely nailed it. It was hardly believable that this was her debut performance as she slipped into this role as effortlessly as Cinderella putting on her glass slipper. Commanding her audience with both her stage presence and portrayal of Elle and alongside those superb vocals, she absolutely deserved the standing ovation.
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Swapping Walford for the Hair Affair salon near Harvard Rita Simmons was exceptionally good at portraying Paulette and at times it was hard to believe it was her. From looks to mannerisms she has got quite the versatile voice on her and will have you in stitches throughout.
Teetering on the edge of gimmicky at times, the story connected well and flowed from set to set, which is half the battle when it comes to such adaptations and when us avid fans have preconceived ideas. Whilst some changes are inevitable, I think I speak for most of the audience who on the tip of the tongues was waiting for “Don’t stomp your little last season Prada shoes at me Honey” but alas it did not come. This was made up for by the rather bemusing and only could happen in this musical, Is he Gay or European?’ song and dance number in the middle of the murder trial.
Vivienne and Emmett who although their costumes aside didn’t do it for me their vocals and acting were spot on. With toe tapping catchy tunes and dance numbers one of my favourites has got to be Whipped into Shape. How the heck Helen Petrovna managed a skipping routine like that whilst belting out a number is beyond me.
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Now we cannot talk about Legally Blonde without talking about dogs. Yes those cute 4-legged friends featured in the show, albeit not nearly enough as we all wanted, but there was no denying little Bruiser and Rufus captured the audience’s heart, and I especially wanted to snaffle Rufus!
And just when you think you have had your quoter of pink, and the company may want to call it a night they took it to a whole other level with their explosive energy, pink graduation gowns and got everyone up and dancing in their encore.
Given I wasn’t too sure how Legally Blonde The Musical was going to pan out I really did love it. There are some real stars in this production and if you want a light hearted, fun, pinktastic show to go and see, then this is one to watch.
Nibbles ‘n’ Scribbles x
Sounds like you had a fab time dear! I haven’t been to the theatre in FOREVER, I must check out what’s good right now!xx
I went to see this last week in Bristol, SO good- even if one of the dogs did run wild half way through!