Legally Blonde

26th - 30th April 2016, Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds

Sponsor Greene & Greene Solicitors
Director: Jamie Maguire
Assistant Director: Marc Kerr
Musical Director: Vicky Calver
Choreographer: Heather Couch

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Cast

Elle : Emma Ward
Emmett : Nick Snelling
Warner : Fraser Simpson
Callahan : Ben Musgrove
Paulette : Kate Steggles
Vivienne : Lindsay Miller
Brooke : Alison Aquila
Enid : Cally Kerr
Margot : Emily Spampanato
Leilani : Eleanor Reeves
Pilar : Erin Mann
Gaelan : Emma Rutherford
Serena : Phoebe Bryant

Padamadan/Kiki the Colorist : Joe Cunnell
Aaron : Oscar Elmon
Kate/Delta Nu : Jess Elvin
Elle's Mum/Receptionist : Claire Greener
Elle's Dad : Ben Hill
Kyle : Adam Stewart
Nikos/Grand Master Chad : Max Cunnell
Carlos : Ric Gardner
Whitney/ Elle Understudy/ Store Manager : Beth Jennings
Lowell/Violinist : Will Cahill
Winthrop : Andy Cunnell
Dewey/TV Reporter : Damon Morrish
Judge : Debbie Croll
DA : Tracy Dougherty
Chutney : Catherine Dale
Shop/Pforzheimer/Prison Guard : Colin Musgrove
Delta Nu: Cara Singleton
Delta Nu/Whitney Ustudy : Megan Barber
Co Ed/Court Stenographer : Scott Truin
Co Ed : Emily Scott

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This show had a multi talented cast of characters. The principal girls were well cast and excelled in their roles particularly leading lady ‘extraordinaire’ Emma Ward as the irrepressible Elle Woods, whose lovely singing and genuine character portrayal were a delight to watch. 

In an especially enjoyable performance as the romantic lead Nick Snelling very ably portrayed Emmett, Elle’s only ally in the law school whom she eventually realises she loves.
Kate Steggles shone as Elle’s hairdresser friend and confidante, Paulette. Her solo “Ireland” was particularly memorable being beautifully sung and acted and she has an excellent sense of comic timing which was put to good use in her scenes with UPS man Kyle played by Adam Stewart who, despite having his fan club in the night I was there, just managed to refrain from going totally over the top.
All the other principal members of cast, far too many to be named individually, performed their singing, acting and dancing with great enthusiasm.  I must single out though Lindsay Miller, for her beautiful portrayal of Vivienne, Elle’s bitchy and snobbish rival in love, and also Fraser Simpson as Warner whose voice I would be happy to listen to any day. There were also many other smaller roles essential to the story line which were very well interpreted.
The leads were given tremendous support by a young and hugely energetic chorus under the baton of MD Vicky Calver and imaginative choreography from Heather Couch. Their energy, enthusiasm and enjoyment in their ensemble numbers was exhausting to watch!  Could I understand all the words in the songs which obviously ‘progressed the story’?… no, but practically every modern production I see from Legally Blonde, Hairspray, Sister Act and others, all suffer from some lack of clear projection. Loud volume doesn’t necessarily equate with understandable diction.  Sometimes too, however good an orchestra is (and this orchestra was excellent), there is always the danger of it overpowering the cast.
Technically the production worked well. What initially appeared to be a relatively simple set offering good and well used choice of levels, was augmented with trucks moving on and off as required which all added to the overall effect. Scene changes executed by an exceedingly hardworking stage crew were accomplished extremely smoothly with scenes blending into one another almost seamlessly.  The costumes were good and lighting design first rate.  Compliments too on the excellent and well produced magazine-style programme.
Using the maxim never judge a book by its cover, this show goes to prove that very modern musicals can have a terrific following and BSEAODS proved it can provide the talent to take a ‘newish’ West End release and fully do it justice. This was ultimately an eminently enjoyable show presented with tremendous energy and pizazz – a credit to Director and Assistant Director Jamie Maguire and Marc Kerr and to Bury Operatic.

Julie Petrucci - NODA