"Legally Blonde" by Musicality: University Of Nottingham's Musical Theatre Society
Now, you know me and I am not one for going over the top with my reviews. Musicality do not, and never have produced good musicals. Musicality always produce GREAT musicals, and this is no different.
They make my job as a reviewer not only the most difficult, but also the easiest job ever. Difficult because I really don't know when to stop lauding these people, and easy because I really don't know when to stop lauding these people.
"Legally Blonde" is the well-known story of sorority president Elle Woods as she crosses the country on a mission to find love at Harvard Law School after being dumped back home by Warner Huntington III, due to her not being a "Jackie" - it'll all make sense when you see the show! After discovering that she can use law for the greater good, she uses her new found skills to defy the odds and prove that pink really can save the day.
Elle Woods is played by Olivia Reid, and this is her debut for Musicality. Law and criminology should come in useful for this role as that is what Olivia is studying at University currently. Olivia smashed this right through the Arts Theatre roof. Liv has sass and attitude mixed with a touch of vulnerability in her role as Elle. She made the choreography seem nothing and her power within her voice just soared. That is how you debut in Musicality.
Emmett Forrest, the law student who befriends Elle is played by Craig Youngman. I'll probably end up saying this about every actor on stage, but he has a brilliant voice which shows really strong leanings towards musical theatre. This doesn't really come as a surprise to me as I've seen Craig on stage before.
Paulette Buonufonte is played by Charlotte Lloyd, in her first Musicality show, but you can tell by her stage presence and confidence that she has trod the boards previously. Paulette has always been one of my standoit characters in "Blonde" and still remains that way thanks to Charlotte's comic timing and strong vocals.
Brooke Wyndham, the woman the team have to prove innocent in their big case, is played by Katie Dart. This role comes in just before the end of Act One with that famous exercise scene. Not easy to concentrate on exercising, skipping and singing and not look out of breath, but Katy, as well as the rest of the actors in this scene, took it all in their stride perfectly.
Warner Huntington III, who starts out being Elle's boyfriend, who then unceremoniously dumps her because he needs to upgrade from "Marilyn to Jackie" as he is going to Harvard, is played by Jordan Silver. I love the comedy in the duet "Serious" and we get to hear some lovely vocal work form both Jordan and Liv.
Professor Callaghan is played by Joe Straw, who has reverted back to stage work from being the Director for last year's show. And what a cracking role to get as this slimeball, sexist character. Joe's phrasing is perfectwhich means you get to hear every syllable of the lyrics, which also means you get every oince of the comedy in the words. Joe is the ultimate professional on stage, which reflects the character of Callaghan wonderfully. I'm also hoping that the stage slap he receives from Elle is just that; a stage slap because it echoed around the theatre. If it was, the timing was superb.
Vivienne Kensington, the new upgraded girlfriend for Warner is played by Sophie Lagden. Vivienne is a wonderful character who has that epiphany moment. There is a section in Act Two when her vocals sliced through the theatre, making the hair on my neck stand on end.
Serena, played by Jess Heyne makes this performance her debut for Musicality, and what a way to do it.
Margot is played by Ella Suckling, who also makes a successful debut for Musicality in this role.
Pilar is played by Mani Hall-Arthur, who I remember from last year's production of "Urinetown" when she played Soupy Sue. Does this young woman ever stop smiling? She completely lit up that stage with her smile and her attitude.
Enid Hoopes who is one of the interns on the law course, whose character is just a little different to the others , shall we say, and is played by Isabel Holt. Brilliant characterisation and great fun to watch.
Kyle/Grand Master Chad are played by Ryan Cooley, last year's Bobby Strong in "Urinetown". Immediately raising the temperature in the theatre by at least a few degrees with the females, especially in his UPS costume which really made him stand out from the others! A lovely, ever so slightly arrogant character played perfectly. You could say he has the full package!
Kate is played by Evie Mace, and another smash role to add to Evie's ever extending musical theatre CV.
Aaron Schultz/Carlos are played by Riley Halls Backler. I can't decide which role he was the best in as I loved both. Shows that this man is versatile on stage.
Kieran Masso Walsh plays Sundeep/Nikos, and with Kieran, not unlike everyone else in this uber talented cast, really shows that he enjoys being on stage; you can tell just by watching him. Love the role of Nikos, even though it's only a small part - well have you seen the uniform he has to wear - but it's one of those roles that everyone remembers due to the fun. Being the subject of the song "Gay or European", which has some wonderfully fun lyrics, you just can't forget Nikos.
Chutney, who is in the dock to accuse Brooke of murder, is played by Bethan John. Another secondary character but again, this musical is full of secondary characters who are memorable, and Bethan makes sure that we remember this part.
Mr Woods, Elle's father/Lowell is played by Harri Evans and Mrs Woods, Elle's mother is played by Emilia Makarewicz.
Ewan Waddell plays a double as Dewey/Professor Winthrop. Ewan, I've seen before and as ever, is a true pro with every role he takes on.
Emily Trappen also gets to double up as Judge/Store Manager in her first mainshow as a cast member. Loved the zany Judge S Lay character.
Our remaining cast members are Jenna Hancock (Leilani), Georgia Williams (Galen) with Ella Gray and Amy Plunkett (Greek Chorus/dancers) and an ensemble consisting of Arianna Phillips, Megan Longhurst, Vicks Parker, Lucy Middleton and Francesca Napolitano.
Directed by Charlie Greene, who did not put a foot wrong. This is one of the tightest shows I've seen for a while. The scenes were changed so swiftly, half the time the stage still had the actors there, making this a real pacy affair. Pats on the backs for all of the stage hands.
Choreographed by Ethea Lee, she has musical theatre juice flowing through her veins. These choreographed pieces are packed with so much energy, you can tell she has poured everything into this show, which makes this production a powerhouse choreography wise.
Produced by Carla Davison, assisted by Josie Fowler, these two, as with all the other behind the scenes teams have made this show the show to see this week.
The Musical Director is A J Hill. He kept everything bouncing along at a wonderfully musical pace. The fourteen piece orchestra sounded rich and loud; you could not ignore the power from that orchestra pit. A J was assisted in his role by Rebecca Perkins.
"Legally Blonde" has a wonderfully memorable soundtrack which includes "OmiGod You Guys", "What You Want", "Blood In The Water", "Positive", "Whipped Into Shape", "Bend and Snap" and the lyrically clever "Gay Or European".
Sound Design and Lighting are by Rob Kettridge and Evie Webster. The lights were timed to perfection and I have nothing at all negative to report about the sound at all.
Costumes, hair and make up were all amazing thanks to Eliza Wappat, Cat New and Alice Humphrys.
OmiGod, you guys are in for a wonderful, fun, fluffy and funny show with this one. Every vocal is spot on, the lights are spot on, the harmonies are of Phil Spector proportions, the sound is spot on. I really can't fault any one thing, even though I tried and failed, and that is why I could not wait to get to my feet to show my appreciation of this incredibly good, no GREAT, production at the final bows. West End standards on a Nottingham local stage, I can't say better than that. It really would be a crime to miss out on this show.
"Legally Blonde" is at the Nottingham Arts Theatre until Saturday 11 February. You must get a ticket because it's the law!! Pink clothing is optional.
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