Legally Blonde The Musical at Blackpool Winter Gardens Review
DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW
Reviewed by Toni & Ben
Having seen the film ‘Legally Blonde’ I was super excited to be going to see Legally Blonde – The Musical on stage!!
Blackpool Winter Gardens is a lovely theatre close to the waterfront and Blackpool tower.
The curtains went up and I was immediately excited when the music started and I realised it was a live Orchestra!! There is something about a live orchestra that really adds to the excitement and emotion of a Musical.
The show starts with Elle’s sorority sisters celebrating the fact that campus heart throb Warner Huntington III is set to propose to Elle Woods, UCLA’s Delta Nu president (Played by the amazingly talented Aimee Duxbury). Elle prepares for the occasion by trying to find the ‘perfect’ outfit with her sorority sisters. If you have seen the film you will know that Elle Woods is rarely seen in anything but Pink and so she settles on a beautiful Hot Pink number!!
The excitement builds during the romantic dinner with Elle and Warner and Warner tells Elle (In the form of song of course, this is a musical after all!) that he is ready to get serious. Of course Elle is delighted to hear this and holds out her hand in preparation for Warner to put a ring on her finger. As is sometimes the way, the night does not go the way that Elle and her Sorority sisters (Margot, Serena, and Pilar) had envisaged and Warner breaks up with Elle ahead of his move to one of the most prestigious Law schools – Harvard Law!!
The show is Choreographed by the amazingly talented Natalie Pollard who has been dancing since the young age of 2. The choreography in this show really helps to tell the story and adds to the excitement but also the emotion of the story.
As this is a musical I can’t not mention the sound track to the show!! The tracks are so upbeat and catchy and again really help to get across the story the show is trying to portray, a story that I feel is a really important and necessary one to teach not just the younger generation but even us older ones too!! We could all learn a thing or two from Elle and her strong will and determination!! Musical Director Ed Rugman really has done a fantastic job with the music!!
The show continues as Elle is determined to win Warner back and so studies extensively to ensure she too gets in to Harvard Law school and can prove to Warner Huntington III that she is ready to get serious too. Again, as is the way of life this doesn’t come without its challenges for Elle. One of those challenges being that Warner has a new Girlfriend on campus, Vivienne Kensington (Played by the wonderful Hannah Dixon).
The show covers many of the scenes from the original film, not missing out the scene where Vivienne tricks Elle in to thinking a party is fancy dress and so Elle turns up dressed as a Play Boy Bunny (Which she looks stunning in) when of course it is not fancy dress and no one else is dressed up!! Elle finds a great friend and confident (And in the end, lover!) in Harvard graduate/Teaching Assistant Emmet Forrest. (Played by fantastic Blue Blezard).
As well as Emmet, Elle finds a friend in Hair salon owner Paulette Bonafonte (Played by two fabulous women Jenny Daniels and Amelia Wilkins) who I have to say was the highlight of the show for me!!! This character was hilariously funny and really got the crowd in hysterics!!
I can’t finish this review without giving credit to the production and wardrobe team!! The stage backdrops, props and outfits were amazing and really set the scene and helped deliver the story!!
The show continues as Elle is one of the chosen 4 to help represent a Brooke Wyndham (Played by Elle-Louise Moore) accused of murdering her Husband. Elle becomes a vital part of the legal representation and is the reason they eventually win the case, standing by her morals and instinct and supporting the accused!! Elle-Louise plays this part fantastically and how she continues to sing whilst skipping and not miss a beat or become out of breath is quite frankly astounding!!
Overall I was very impressed with how the musical really delivered the same feel good emotions that I got from watching the film. My only very minor disappointment was with the scene where Elle comes to the realisation that the witness in the court case claiming to be the secret lover of the accused is actually gay and so could not be her lover!! The scene in the film was one of my favourite parts and was told differently in this stage version, but non the less it was still funny!!
My conclusion is that if you loved the film you will no doubt love this Musical production!! And if you haven’t seen the film, go anyway and I guarantee you will come away happy and probably wanting to watch the film too!!!
I almost forgot to mention Bruiser and Rufus!! Bruiser is Elle Woods’ dog and Rufus, Paulette Bonafonte’s dog, both of which were played by real dogs who were adorable and just made the show even more enjoyable for me as a dog lover also!!!
Rating: 4/5
https://www.wintergardensblackpool.co.uk/events/legally-blonde-the-musical/
Ticket prices start from £18.25 to £33.65
Legally Blonde the Musical is on at Blackpool Winter Gardens from 6th March 2024 to 9th March 2024
For more information or to book tickets follow the link above or call 0844 770 0593
Winter Gardens Blackpool
Church Street
Blackpool FY1 1HU