The show opens at the fluffy sorority house, home to Delta Nu president Elle Woods (Hannah Dorney), whose only care in the world is how long her hemline is. That is, until, she fails to secure a future husband in Warner Huntington III (portrayed by Aron Armstrong). Huntington is as pompous as his name suggests and claims he needs any potential bride to be “serious”, which he finds in the pretentious Vivienne Kensington (Elizabeth Dodd).
Elle then transforms from sorority sweetheart to negating the horrors of Harvard Law School in an attempt to win back the affections of her ex by proving that “whoever said tangerine is the new pink is seriously disturbed” is not her only priority.
Hannah steps up to the role of Elle, playing this walking contradiction with equal parts ditzy and self-assuredness throughout, powering through every musical number.
However, Harvard definitely proves to be treacherous terrain as demonstrated by Professor Callahan – wonderfully acted by Gavin Dodd – professing that to be a lawyer one needs to develop a taste for the “blood in the water”.
But Elle is not without support during her transition, finding empowering friendship along the way in her four-legged friend Bruiser and vivacious salon owner Paulette – brilliantly played by Becky Hardman – who bend and snap their way to success in the realms of love and law.
Luckily not everyone in Harvard is a shark; teaching assistant Emmett Forrest (David Stockton) provides compassion, giving Elle the motivation to better herself.
Equally, the supporting cast are obviously having a whale of a time with their characters and this is shown through spirited performances all-round – from the supporting Delta Nu sisters, the energetic Brooke Wyndham (Stephanie Bird), alluring delivery man, Kyle B O’Boyle (Ian Quirk) and a host of other eccentric roles.
The show veers from hilarious to touching, sometimes in the course of a single song (like the brilliant rendition of Ireland ), while the musicians provide a dynamic backing.
Legally Blonde pleads guilty to offering a wholly entertaining evening of music, laughs and drama. The show runs nightly until tomorrow at 7.30pm.
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