Blackpool's Opera House was in the pink this evening for a very upbeat rendition of the perennial favourite musical based on the hit film of the same name, 'Legally Blonde'. Elle Woods once again got to study at Harvard Law School just for love; loses said love, finds a new love, and in the process also finds her metier and wins a star case using good old Sorority House values.
A flashy set of wonky walls and unopenable doors presented itself this evening, with some of the sets working better than others. The hairdressing salon was cumbersome and I did not like seeing stage management in full view moving it in and out. Creative lighting and mostly appropriate costumes helped bring the story to life, and a pit band belted out all our favourite tunes. Sadly the sound balance was not quite right this evening. Sometimes the band overpowered the dialogue or singing on stage, but mostly the cast's mics were too high meaning the voices were distorted and incomprehensible at times.
The enthusiastic and dedicated cast was headed by Aimee Duxbury as Miss Woods comma Elle herself, whilst her ex-boyfriend and Harvard fast-tracker, Warner, was played with understated dour sincerity by Declan Wilkinson, and the more gentle and understanding Emmett, who eventually steals Elle's heart, was a rather fresh-faced Blue Blezard.
Professor Callaghan (Joff Keelan) was a more mature but also more human and sympathetic portrayal than I have seen, and this worked in his favour, whilst comedy was provided for by hairstylist Paulette (Jenny Daniels) and her love affair with UPS deliveryman, Kyke (Patrick Duffy). The ah-factor catered for too in the inclusion of not one but two dogs on stage.
A frothy-pink piece of teen-oriented all-American comedy romance, but sincerely and proficiently performed by Encore Productions.
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