Legally Blonde The Musical

Obliterate your winter blues with a therapeutic dose of ‘OMG pink’ and Malibu sunshine, courtesy of the astonishing cast and crew of Legally Blonde The Musical! Based on the novel by Amanda Brown and the MGM film, this fun-packed Legally Blonde is a multilayered vehicle for a great message about being yourself and maximising your potential, ditching toxic relationships, the power of working together, and some strictly non-PC jokes side-by-side with a foreshadowing #MeToo message. There’s a fabulous Greek chorus and, not one, but two dogs! Yes, it’s very US-centric but the songs are neat and fun and give this ensemble cast some great leading moments and top-quality character parts. And the cast really do make the most of every moment. I always come away from Griffith Uni/Qld Con shows thinking that there’s no need to travel to New York or London for top-quality musical theatre talent. And this cast is no exception. Because of the rounded-out supporting parts, it could be the best cast I have seen in the last few years.

Backed by about 40 supporting performers/dancers from first- and second-year students, and a fantastic band of 14 musicians, for opening night, the lead actors from the third year class of 2024 were: Ally Long as a pinky, perky, plucky Elle; Oliver Palamara as her strong but selfish love interest, Warner; Sophie Moman, showing a forceful stage presence as Elle’s rival, Vivienne; and Nick Smith as the underrated legal eagle Emmett. All of these lead performers were outstanding. And there’s a superb support network, with Imogen Alexander as legal chum, Enid; Juliette Coates, everyone’s favourite hair stylist, Paulette; Finlay Underwood’s dulcet baritone belying the fierce Professor Callahan (his ‘Blood in the Water’ is an outstanding musical performance).

Madelene Kirkwood is Brooke, the exercise Queen (her show-stopping ‘Whipped into Shape’ is so much fun – and kudos to Choreographer, Dan Venz, for incorporating some nifty jump-rope moves that had the audience applauding and gasping at the same time).

All the supporting roles were brilliant – from Kaylen de Gersigny, Charlotte Sligar, Faith Oosthuizen, and Ebony Portelli, to Jack Ryan as various cool characters, Croft Phillips as Elle’s Dad and Christina Keen as Elle’s Mom and an outstanding supporting turn as DA Joyce! Plus a Greek Chorus, and good-sport scene-stealing moments from Jay Monck as Kyle the USB courier and Nikos the pool cleaner; and well-behaved pooches Bella and Peggotty Pickle making their cuteness felt without distracting too much from the action!

As with any major musical, some songs are better than others, but this cast make all of them work – from the funky ‘Harvard Variations’ at the law school, and ‘Take it Like a Man’ suit-shopping number, to the completely silly ‘Ireland’ at Hair Affair Salon, and ludicrous but hilarious ‘Bend and Snap’ and ‘Gay or European?’ – totally non-PC but handled with aplomb and a firm tongue in cheek by this sharp troupe. Director, Alister Smith, and Musical Director, Heidi Loveland, have really hit the gavel on the block to maintain musical order of a superior standard.

This is a proper major musical production, with more than 30 backstage creatives, including Sound Designer, Steve Thornely, making this one of the clearest and less-screechy musicals I’ve heard in a while. Choreography by Dan Venz is superb, with so many wonderful multicast moments – including top rap, that skipping scene, and – no spoilers – but maybe some Celtic-themed moves too. Costumes by Desley Macpherson are colour-block cool, and the over-the-top US-branded Harvard setting is achieved brilliantly by Set Designer, Penny Challen, and Lighting Designer, Keith Clark. All the accents are perfect, helped by Voice & Dialect Coach, Melissa Agnew. If you want a fun night out, my verdict is – get your tickets now! The leads and understudies change for different performances, so you can enjoy Legally Blonde several times!

Beth Keehn

Check the programme: https://publuu.com/flip-book/409647/1337401

Find out more: https://www.queenslandconservatorium.com.au/legally-blonde-the-musical/

Photo credit: Kenn Santos