Legally Blonde

By Laurence O’Keefe, Nell Benjamin and Heather Hach. Mercedes College. Directed by Kathleen Cocks. The Regal Theatre, Subiaco, WA. Aug 1-3, 2025

Mercedes College presented Legally Blonde for a short season at The Regal Theatre. The final production for retiring director Kathleen Cocks, this polished, beautifully performed musical with outstanding production values, was a fitting farewell. The large, enthusiastic young cast, which included borrowed young men, performed with great skill.

Visually impressive, the multi-level set created by Performing Arts Link serves the show very well, transferring from scene to scene with ease, while costumes, designed by Jo Driscoll, are beautifully tailored and well selected for character and colour mix.

Somewhat of a star vehicle, any production of Legally Blonde requires a strong Elle Woods and Mercedes were blessed with an outstanding performance from Amelie Count, who sings beautifully and played Elle with depth and conviction.

Her love interests were well portrayed with Angus Lincoln, self-assured and cockily charming as Warner Huntington III, and ultimate beau Emmett Forrest, played with warmth by Alex Pitt - winning hearts in the audience as well as winning Elle.

Abi Woodhouse stole scenes as Paulette Bonafonte in a gorgeous performance, even when being upstaged by sweet canine performer Onyx as Rufus (Bertie as Bruiser was also adorable). Her love interest Kyle was played with great style by Bailey Thomas. Former partner Dewey, the character we love to hate, was expertly embodied by Daniel Nievelstein, showing versatility in multiple roles.

Kealey Ward was a second act sensation as Brooke Wyndham, exercise guru accused of murder - looking the part and leading one of the show’s most impressive numbers. “Whipped into Shape”, with expertise. 

Marc Anthony played Professor Callahan with authority and a touch of evil, a great contrast to his appearance rapping with the ensemble early in the show, while very different law students Vivienne Kensington and Enid Hoopes were embodied well by Aleisha Loh and Kassandra Flexman.

A multitude of cameos were well played, but I especially enjoyed Jack Bryant and Ethan Bengson as Nikos and Carlos and Matilda Way’s lovely presence as Elle’s grandmother. The ensemble worked well throughout and executed Taylor Robinson’s creative and clever choreography with precision.

A great quality band, conducted by Musical Director Glenn Hogue, accompanied the show.

Polish and expertise in this stellar production that deserved its capacity houses.

Kimberley Shaw