Theatre Royal, Glasgow
Performance Reviewed: Tuesday 23 August
Until: Saturday 3 September
Rating: * * * * *
Omigod you guys! If you see one musical this year, make sure it’s Legally Blonde.
The touring production of the West End favourite has arrived in Glasgow and is turning the Theatre Royal pink until Saturday 3rd September.
Legally Blonde tells the story of Malibu it-girl and fashion merchandising student Elle Woods, who stalks her ex boyfriend to Harvard Law School in order to prove to him she can be ‘serious’. The result is an emotional rollercoaster of an underdog story filled with catchy tunes, great dance routines, a Greek chorus and some cute dogs.
Faye Brookes as Elle had the tough job of living up to Sheridan Smith (who won various awards for her portratyal in the original London cast) but, having seen both actresses in the role, Faye brings more to the role with a much more emotive and smooth vocal performance. Faye is also a few years younger than Sheridan but brings a maturity to the role that belies her age.
Liz McLarnon, known to most as a third of pop group Atomic Kitten, proves that musical theatre is the place for her to be with brilliant comedy timing and powerful vocals as the big-haired beautician and hairdresser Paulette.
In fact, every member of the main cast were very strong indeed. Iwan Lewis as Emmett really blossoms through the show and is particularly good in the numbers “Chip on My Shoulder” and “Take It Like a Man”. Hannah Grover as Brooke Wyndham deserves a mention too as I felt out of breath just watching her perform “Whipped into Shape”.
UPS guy Kyle, played by Lewis Griffiths, receives rapturous applause as soon as he steps on stage with his ‘package’ and the dogs certainly had the “aww” factor.
The set understandably had to be changed in order to fit in the smaller theatres on the tour but for anyone who has already seen the London or Broadway production, the touring production is in no way inferior. It is still a fantastic evening’s entertainment with some of the best (and funniest) songs in musical theatre including “There! Right! There!”, “Omigod You Guys” and “So Much Better”.
It’s pink, fluffy, furry, glitzy, ditzy and uplifting. Go see it as soon as you can!
For tickets and more information visit: Legally Blonde Glasgow.
Saw this at the Kings last night and it certainly lived up to the title ‘hottest ticket in town’. Fabulous, fabulous, fabulous!
‘Gay or European?’ had us laughing so much it hurt.
Love it