Legally Blonde AT THEATRE ROYAL PLYMOUTH
- 6 hours ago
- 5 min read
A bright pink, “positive”, super fun smash!
Based on the 2001 movie starring Reece Witherspoon, Legally Blonde tells the story of Elle Woods, a sorority girl from Malibu who “somehow” gets into Harvard Law School to study alongside her ex-boyfriend in an attempt to impress him and win him back, along the way discovering she does not need him and learns how powerfully independent she can be. The current tour stars Amber Davies as Elle and is directed by Nikolai Foster, fresh from the success of Foster’s recent Kinky Boots revival starring Johannes Radebe. I was aware this was a brand-new revival featuring new sets and costumes, and as a fan of the show I was looking forward to seeing the updated changes.
As you enter the auditorium, you are greeted by a beautifully lit stage featuring large, bright pink letters displaying the show's title. At the back of the stage stands a pink semi-circular arch that remains in place throughout the production, with its frames able to light up in a variety of colours as the show progresses. Centre stage sits three pink houses, not full-sized but more like dollhouses, accompanied by palm trees on either side. My immediate thought was that the show's aesthetic had taken inspiration from the recent Barbie film, and this impression stayed with me throughout the performance. Transitions between locations were often achieved by actors performing alongside miniature dollhouse-style versions of Harvard buildings, caravans, and other settings. I found this to be a cute and playful way of moving between scenes without the need for constant large-scale set changes, allowing transitions to be manoeuvred quickly and seamlessly and without a single blackout. That said, there were still some larger set pieces that flew in occasionally, most notably a large Harvard classroom wall complete with bookshelves. These larger set pieces provided a welcome change from the otherwise static set. One aspect I particularly appreciated was the complete absence of digital screens. Many modern productions rely heavily on projections and large digital screens in place of physical scenery, which is not something I personally enjoy. It was refreshing to see a production embrace a modern visual style while still relying on traditional set pieces.
As soon as the production begins, the sound blasts the auditorium at full force. Personally, I enjoy a musical with loud booming sound, but I can understand some audience members may have found it a little overpowering. Alongside the volume of the band, there were moments where it felt as though some of the cast were having to push their vocals to compete with the sound levels. To their credit, they rose to the challenge and delivered strong vocal performances throughout. The opening number, “Omigod You Guys,” welcomes us into the sorority house as Elle’s enthusiastic friends excitedly celebrate around her. The ensemble all play their roles brilliantly and possess impressive vocal talent. That said, I occasionally found the exaggerated, high-energy character voices a little shrill, particularly during the first twenty minutes of the show. Combined with the loud sound mix, this sometimes made it difficult to catch every lyric and meant that a few comedic punchlines were lost. As the show progressed and the heightened sorority-girl energy settled slightly, the vocals became much clearer and the characterisations felt more balanced. I enjoyed watching each performer bring their own personality to the group. I was particularly impressed by Daisy Twells during “What You Want.” Her characterisation stood out from the others, and there was something about her vocal delivery that reminded me of Velma from Scooby-Doo. It was a cute interpretation that felt quirky and unique in comparison to the other girls.
The cast as a whole were incredibly strong, with every performer delivering work of a very high standard. Excellent vocals, energetic choreography, and strong comedic performances were consistent throughout the company. However, a few individuals particularly stood out, including George Crawford as Emmett. Crawford brought exactly the right amount of charm to the role, portraying Emmett as highly intelligent and confident within the world of law school, yet endearingly naive when faced with Elle’s world of fashion and pop culture. His journey from a shy and reserved student to a more confident and self-assured character felt completely believable, helped by his natural stage presence and dry, sarcastic sense of humour. His acting was matched by equally impressive vocals. Throughout the show he sang beautifully, but it was during the climax of “Chip on My Shoulder” that he truly shone and showed us what he can really do, delivering a series of powerful high notes, hitting a range not heard in the original score that were very impressive.
Taking on the role of hairdresser Paulette was Karen Mavundukure, and what a performance she delivered. From the moment she appeared on stage, she was instantly likeable and effortlessly funny. Her comedic timing was exceptional, making her performance the funniest of the entire evening. However, it was the sheer talent of her vocal ability that truly elevated the role. Looking at her previous credits, which include productions such as The Color Purple and Dreamgirls, it's easy to see why she was cast in those powerhouse musicals. Both shows demand exceptional vocal strength and Karen possesses it in abundance. Her voice was nothing short of outstanding. Paulette's reprise of “Ireland” in Act One can sometimes feel like a pleasant but relatively understated end to the scene. In Karen's hands, however, it became one of the standout musical moments of the night. She completely lifted the number, finishing with a stunning belt and vocal riff that brought the house down. The huge applause and cheers that followed were thoroughly deserved and reflected just how impressive the performance was.
Leading the cast as Elle Woods, Amber Davies delivers in a role that she is clearly born to play. During the opening section of the show, I was initially concerned that vocal gymnastics was taking precedence over the lyrics and comedy within the songs. However, as the production progressed, it was clear that Amber had made some distinctive vocal choices of her own, incorporating belts and riffs in places that differ from the original score. Generally, I don’t mind these kinds of additions if they serve the performance, and in this case, I felt they worked exceptionally well and didn’t happen too often. Amber perfectly captures Elle’s innocent, naive charm, combining it with excellent comedic timing and a remarkably powerful vocal range for someone of such petite stature. The Act One finale, “So Much Better,” is a standout moment, building steadily to an impressive, sustained belt that Amber executes with apparent ease. She also attacked every movement of the show's high-energy choreography with enthusiasm and precision. Elle Woods is an incredibly demanding role; she rarely leaves the stage, features in almost every energetic dance number and is required to deliver several vocally challenging, belt-heavy songs. Despite these demands, Amber appeared to not break a sweat, maintaining a natural stage presence and delivering a consistently engaging and polished performance throughout. It’s clear that Amber Davies is far more than a reality television celebrity, with this role, she proves herself as one of the best in musical theatre.
Of course, perhaps the most important mention of all is the role of Bruiser, the chihuahua, clearly this pooch is a master in their craft, commanding the stage at such a level that the entire audience lose themselves in adoring hysterics each time they grace the stage, particularly when donning a small pink graduate cap, making the audience go wild!
Overall, this is a vibrant, feel-good spectacle, it doesn’t take itself too seriously but delivers a production at the highest quality with the highest calibre of performers and leaves you wanting more. Prepare to be dazzled by eye-catching visuals, exceptional performances, and a whole lot of pink! Tickets are selling out wherever it is touring so beg, borrow or Bend & Snap to get your hands on a pair of tickets!
⭐⭐⭐⭐
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