Legally Blonde

Legally Blonde
Music & Lyrics: Laurence O’Keefe & Nell Benjamin. Book: Heather Hach. Howard Panter & John Frost Production. Director/Chorographer: Jerry Mitchell. Musical Director: Kellie Dickerson. Lyric Theatre, QPAC. From 14 March 2013

OMG What a show! This high-energy, fun-filled piece of musical theatre was every bit as good as the Broadway and West End originals thanks to a super cast and brilliant choreography and staging by Jerry Mitchell. Inventive and at times dazzling, the frenetic pace did not let up from start to finish.

The story of fashion-tragic Elle Woods making it through the hallowed halls of Harvard through savvy, spunk and street-smarts, was as enjoyable as the MGM movie on which is was based.

Lucy Durack was perfect as the blonde who became legal. There was not a woman (or man) in the house who did not want her to succeed. Barely off-stage for a minute, she carried this meringue-pie of a show on her cute and slender shoulders. In the role of sleaze-bag Warner, the boyfriend who dumps her because she’s not ‘serious’ enough, Rob Mills continued to prove he’s one of this country’s best young musical theatre stars. David Harris also turned in a terrific performance as good-guy Emmett, with Cameron Daddo a solid Professor Callahan.

Paulette, one of the best roles in the show, could not have been in better hands than Helen Dallimore. Her timing was spot-on, her business with the Fed-Ex man hilarious, and their ultimate River-dance routine a terrific pay-off.

Best routine was undoubtedly “Whipped into Shape,” which stage newcomer Erika Heynatz, as fitness queen Brooke Wyndham, turned into a showstopper.

The ten-piece band under Kellie Dickerson was loud and the sound at times was muddy, metallic and shrill - unfortunately it’s a problem that occurs frequently at the Lyric Theatre.

Peter Pinne   

Images: (top) Rob Mills as Warner and Lucy Durack as Elle and (lower) Helen Dallimore as Paulette and Mike Snell as Kyle in LEGALLY BLONDE. Photographer: Jeff Busby.

More Reading

Interview with Lucy Durack

Interview with David Harris

Our sydney review

Melbourne season.

Elle's Legally Blonde Sorority Sisters

Australian cast announced

Interview with Producer Howard Panter

Musicals in Australia in 2013 and Beyond

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