LEGALLY BLONDE
Regents Park Open Air Theatre until July 2 legallyblondethemusical.com
Forget the weather, this neon pink explosion of joy will brighten anyone’s day. It’s based on the iconic 2001 Reese Witherspoon flick about rich, spoiled Malibu Barbie Elle Woods who gets into Harvard Law School to win back boyfriend Warner after he dumped her for not being marriage material.
The tricky gender politics were rescued on screen and are rescued again here by the leading lady’s star power and a triumphantly giddy empowering transformation.
At its coruscating centre is former Six lead Courtney Bowman as Elle, who puts on a powerhouse performance, blasting through numbers like Omigod You Guys or So Much Better. Necessary heart is added by Elle’s tentative romance with law school squeeze Emmett (a beautifully touching honey-voiced Michael Ahomka-lindsay).
Nadine Higgin delivers a storming turn as Elle’s beautician pal Paulette, while the reworked fluidity of genders and sexualities among the supporting cast and characters is only topped by casting a sassy eye-rolling and scene-stealing Liam Mcevoy as Elle’s beloved Chihuahua Bruiser (usually a cute real dog). The camp factor raises the “woof” even higher when he hooks up with Paulette’s pooch Rufus.
The film and musical are defined by
Elle’s day-glo personality, reflected in her wardrobe and indomitable optimism. Already pretty unabashedly camp (there’s even a so-wrong-it’s-fabulous song called Gay Or European?), this new production ramps up the sequins and cerise to breathtaking levels.
The energised cast is matched by irresistibly euphoric choreography – Whipped Into Shape, led by an ab-tastic Lauren Drew as fitness queen Brook, is jaw-droppingly performed with skipping ropes.
The theatre’s open-air format obviously leaves audiences at the mercy of the elements but it’s no problem if you come prepared. However, it throws up challenging sound issues which were not completely overcome. The backing band sounded rather thin and some vocals were a little tinny and shrill. It’s a shame because the kitschy, dance-fuelled score and wittily sharp lyrics are such utter joy.
Even so, omigod, this show is, like, totally fab, you guys!