Like, you totally would not believe which show swept into Stoke this week with a flourish of pink and a star studded cast?    Yep, Legally Blonde opened at the Regent Theatre and tells the story of blonde bombshell Elle Woods, recently dumped by lawyer wannabe dreamboat, Warner Huntington on the night she expects him to propose and follows her journey from Sorority Sister to Legal Lovely. 

Elle is heartbroken when Warner dumps her because she’s just not ‘serious’ enough for him, especially when he’s off to to a prestigious Law School and needs a girl more Harvard than Hermes Birkin Bag.  You can’t keep a peppy gal down for long, especially when it comes to love and she hatches a plan to get ‘serious’ and win him back by bagging a place at Harvard and prove that there’s more to her than meets the eye.  Only problem is, Elle is more Louboutin than law school and she’ll have more people to win over than just Warner.

Legally Blonde on Stage

Six years after its initial release in 2001, rave reviews meant that the blockbuster film starring Reese Witherspoon and based on writer Amanda Brown’s real life Elle-ism, was adapted for the stage and opened to the bright lights of Broadway in 2007.   Followed by a West End Production with leading lady Sheridan Smith as Elle, the success of the film and stage show ain’t too bad for a blonde from Malibu, eh?

The UK Productions tour sees former X Factor and Eurovision entrant, Lucie Jones totally bend and snapping into the sparkly pink Manolo’s of Delta Nu Sorority Queen Elle Woods with a ‘serious’ amount of hairspray holding in that salon perfect bouncy blonde blow dry.  Of course Jones can sing, (like, hello?) but she embodies Elle down to the last hair flick and finger snap, bringing the same lovable determination and comedy as Reese did to the stage.  Jones is joined by Ex Eastenders star Rita Simons as unlucky in love beautician Paulette Bonafonté, and soap alumni (and my guilty crush) Bill Ward as hard hitting, billionaire lawyer Professor Callahan with a penchant for his female interns.

“Being yourself never goes out of style.”

The show follows Elle’s sorority life with her Delta Nu (who who *snap snap*) sisters, getting into Harvard, meeting unlikely confidante Paulette, proving that she’s not just another ‘dumb blonde’ and taking on her first murder case representing fitness guru Brooke (and winning).  In fact, it’s surprising just how much story is packed into this powerhouse of pink and confetti filled performances in such a short space of time.  

Rita Simons is amazing as Paulette and with thanks to her little known pop career in 90’s girl band Girls@Play, delivered an endearing and show stopping performance of “Ireland” and of course, the feel good “Bend and Snap” which showcases Rita’s comedic side perfectly.

If you haven’t seen the film, Elle’s totally awesome outfits are accessorised by her teeny tiny Chihuahua, Bruiser who was a particular highlight of the show along with Paulette’s bulldog Rufus stole the show despite a little bit of stage fright.  Despite the warnings not to work with animals or children, it was the pooches that received one of the biggest applauses from the audience – aside from Paulette’s hunky UPS man, of course.

Set against the colourful, cartoon-esque backdrop Anthony Williams’ direction and choreography fits seamlessly to deliver clever transitions between Elle’s Sorority House, Harvard and the particularly well staged courtroom scene putting the entire ensemble through their paces with energetic routines that are packed with fun.  Brooke (Helen Petrovna), famed fitness guru on trial for murder of her husband, lit up the stage alongside the rest of her ensemble with a complex and impressive skipping-rope routine and “Gay or European” had the audience laughing out loud.

Legally Blonde delivers sassy one liners, so-catchy-it-hurts songs, laugh out loud scripting and tongue in cheek moments whilst successfully telling the story of friendship and overcoming self doubt.  This show is just as much about finding your way and accepting yourself as it is about pretty pink dresses and feel good music (and dogs).

The show runs at Regent Theatre until Saturday 17th March with tickets available online or via the Box Office.