Legally Blonde The Musical at Theatre Royal Nottingham Review
DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW
Reviewed by Katy Nettleton
Legally Blonde The Musical at Theatre Royal Nottingham was quite simply, brilliant from start to finish. As someone who loves musicals and has watched the film more times than I should probably admit, I went in with high expectations. Thankfully, this production did not just meet them, it strutted past them in a burst of pink, sparkle, sass and seriously impressive talent.
From the moment the show began, the staging felt full of life. It captured the spirit of the original film beautifully while making clever adaptations that worked perfectly on stage. The set design was excellent, with smooth changes that kept the pace moving and never pulled you out of the story. Elle’s halls of residence were exactly as they should be, garishly pink, gloriously over the top and completely true to her world. Every detail felt considered, from the layout of the scenes to the bold clothing choices, all helping to bring Elle’s journey to life in a way that felt familiar but still fresh.
Amber Davis led the cast wonderfully as the one and only Elle Woods. She brought charm, humour, confidence and a unique voice to the role, making Elle feel both larger than life and genuinely likeable. You really do go on the journey with her, from an underestimated blonde to a woman proving she has brains, heart and determination in abundance. The courtroom scenes were a particular highlight, packed with humour, energy and the kind of comic timing that had the audience fully engaged.
George Crawford was excellent as Emmett, bringing warmth and sincerity to the role. As a confessed rom-com addict, I would have loved the underlying love story between Elle and Emmett to be developed a little more fully. That said, I’m being overly critical, and the romance isn’t really the main focus of the stage production. Elle’s own growth and confidence rightly take centre stage.
Karen Mavundukure, as Paulette, deserves a huge mention. Wow, what a voice. She brought such power, personality and warmth to the role, making Paulette completely mesmerising to watch. Every time she appeared, she lit up the stage, adding humour, heart and a brilliant sense of fun to the production.
The music, dancing and ensemble work were second to none. The balance of story, songs and comedy felt perfectly aligned, with catchy numbers that had us playing the soundtrack all the way home. At times, the music was slightly louder than the singing, making a few lyrics harder to catch, but this was a small point in an otherwise fantastic, flawless performance. The energy of the music matched the drama and excitement of the show beautifully.
A special mention must go to Sprout and Milo, who were definite audience favourites and played their roles pawfectly! Their appearances brought extra joy and laughter, and the audience clearly loved them.
What also stood out was the feeling of love surrounding this production. Before attending, I had seen the cast and team sharing their excitement on social media, and it was lovely to see that passion transfer so clearly onto the stage.
Legally Blonde is a feel-good, funny, empowering and wonderfully entertaining show for all ages. It is bright, bold, and bursting with talent, and a fantastic chance to enjoy a West End-quality show in the comfort of Nottingham. I will definitely be rebooking to watch it again because this is a true five-star night at the theatre.
Rating: 6/5
To book tickets or find out more about upcoming performances, visit:
www.trch.co.uk
www.legallyblondeshow.com
You can also follow the show and venue on social media:
@RoyalNottingham
@legallyblondeshow
https://www.trch.co.uk/whats-on/legally-blonde-zwy4