"Legally Blonde" by Copper Studios

The Bonington Theatre, Arnold.

"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 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.

I've seen several of Copper Studios productions and have been blown away by the students' talents in the past, and OmiGod guys, this is another absolute smash hit production. And, what seems to be the norm at the moment in local theatre, the run is SOLD OUT!!

The cast is predominantly female, all of whom have wonderful voices and deliver brilliant character driven performances. The three male actors, likewise, have strong voices and are some of the best young actors in the area.

Elle Woods is played by Eva Robinson who completely encapsulates the energy and drive of Elle. Not only this but she looks amazing and her voice is sweet and powerful. Just listen to that long note she holds in "So Much Better" at the end of the first act. With such an ending to the first act, it ensures that we are longing for the second act to start. Her feel for comedy, and her music timing are highlighted in her duet with Warner in "Positive".

Warner Huntington III is played by Evan Fretwell. I've seen Evan before and know what a triple threat he is. I've seen this show several times before, but Evan really gets into the arrogant, slimy character of Huntington perfectly in a way that not many have accomplished.

You can tell from his facial expressions he is a character actor, even at this young age. This is also confirmed by him playing Dewey, Paulette's ex. His vocals, especially on "Positive" are delivered in the style of a 90's boyband member who has fallen in love with himself. And then there's his dance skills which are phenomenal; this boy's hips do not lie!

Paulette, the hairdresser, is played by Sadie Ridley. Now, this is one of my favourite characters in the musical, and Sadie goes on my list of my favourite Paulettes. I love the comedy during the "Bend And Snap" routine.

Louis Chadburn plays Emmett Forrest. I still can't get over how young Louis, as well as all of these wonderful young performers, really are. He has maturity, on and off the stage, way ahead of his years, and then there's that voice. It is so rich and controlled; his light and shade with these songs are such a joy to hear.

I've said it before about Louis but he is destined to be in the West End in the next ten years with a voice like he has. And from the screams from his female fans on Friday night, his new facial hair did nothing to hide his good looks or those dimples. It gave him a Prince Charming look about him.

Brooke Wyndham, the fitness queen, who has been accused of killing her lover, and whose case the team are attempting to solve, is played by Isabella Streets. The opening to the second act is a song called "Whipped Into Shape", which is a high energy piece performed while skipping and exercising. Isabella and her gym buddies kept the energy up without compromising the vocals.

Jude Forsey plays Professor Callahan. I know that Jude is young, but he just seemed to morph into this slimy, older character, and that's what I saw, not a young actor playing an older character. I said at the start that all of these actors have wonderful voices, and Jude is no different. Jude is one of those actors who seems to understand method acting well, and displays it throughout.

Vivienne Kensington is the "Jackie" to Elle's "Marilyn" for Warner; the more serious option for the legal lothario. Vivienne is played beautifully triumphant at the start, and then after the realisation of what and who Callahan is, changes her personality. Lily-Mae Evans handles these character changes perfectly. Yet another talented and strong singer.

Another one of my favourite characters, sorry I love so many of these characters in this musical, is Enid Hoopes, played by Amy Shelmerdine. Her part in the song "Harvard Variations" was delivered almost at breakneck speed, but with a lovely clarity so we heard every word.

Jasmine Hutchings (Margot), Nakiya Francis-White (Pilar) and Lottie Parsons (Serena) made a fantastic and fun trio of BFF's for Elle, all three providing a lovely energy and looked great, especially adorned in white.

Chutney Wyndham is played by Kyra Fowler. I loved the attitude Kyra gave to this, albeit minor character, a lynchpin character in the musical. Love the hair as well.

Nella Budding played Kyle the UPS delivery man. You can see that Nella had fun playing Kyle in the way she strode down the aisle between the audience and on to the stage in typical alpha male style. This character always gets plenty of audience appreciation, and that was proven again on Friday night.

Amber Colson (Nikos) and Ildino Eckley (Carlos) are another pair who are big hits with the audience. In the courtroom scene Carlos is the pool boy being cross examined about the murder and the big question is, is he gay or European. Elle has the answer, thanks to the "Bend And Snap" and the outcome is backed up by Nikos.

One of many comedic scenes and a brilliantly choreographed section to the song "Gay Or European", completed with a nice show of support in a rainbow flag wafted aloft and several smaller flags. I do hope that I've not spoiled the results of which way Carlos does actually swing!

Isobelle Walker doubled as Kate as well as The Judge. The latter role highlighted what a lovely voice she has and another brilliant piece of character acting.

Eden Bell (Sundeep), Zoe Flanagan (Whitney), Lili-Mae Shaw (Pforzheimer) and Maja Prentice- Nielson (Amy) also double in ensemble roles, ramping up the energy in the choreographed sections.

And of course, we can't forget Bruiser Woods, Elle's lovable four legged friend who likes to watch Glee, is played by Murphy Hindley. What a cutie!

Directed by Harry Hindley, who along with Megan Hindley, are responsible for setting up Copper Studios and dispensing all that they know when it comes to drama and dance. They have an incredible group of talented students, and when you see them perform to this high standard, you can see why Copper Studios is expanding due to the amount of pupils wanting to soak up the Hindley's musical theatre know how.

Smooth direction with some little bits that I've not noticed in other productions of "Legally Blonde" I've seen.

Just one example is when Warner and Elle meet up in the restaurant at the start there is an extremely animated session of snogging between the pair with hair thrashing and speedy roaming hands from Eva and Evan, all done in the best possible taste though. That comedy moment set the tone for the whole musical.

Choreographed by Megan Hindley. I've already alluded to how good the choreography is with just two scenes "Whipped Into Shape" and "Gay Or European" but every scene that has even the slightest bit of choreography in is carried out with style and elan. Megan is also the stage manager for this show and keeps everything running smoothly

Sound Design by Mark Di Martino, and something that seems to be an issue with many local productions is missed mic cues, which seemed to occur more in the second act. I would also have liked to have heard the volume on the mics turned up just a tad as the backing tracks at times seemed to slightly swamp some of the singers, even those with stronger voices. I was sat on B row and noticed this so I'm not sure how clear the vocals were at the back of the theatre.

Lighting Design is by the College Street Technicians. One thing I would look at was the spotlight on the scene for "Positive" as the spotlight needed a slightly broader coverage to include both actors in that scene. Apart from my nit picking on that, the rest of the show was lit perfectly.

Ok, I am picky but that's what I am there for, as well as to let everyone who read my reviews just how wonderful the local theatre scene in the area is.

I really can't praise this show highly enough, and especially the young and ridiculously talented cast. You can see the blood, sweat and tears that have gone into this production on every level. The standing ovation from some of us hopefully showed the cast and crew just how much we, as an audience, enjoyed this show.

I stated that the shows for Saturday, matinee and evening shows were SOLD OUT, but if you really want to see this classy and comic show, check with the Bonington box office just in case there are any returns.

"Legally Blonde" will be holding court at The Bonington Theatre in Arnold until Saturday 18 November.