The Stage

Legally Blonde

Published Thursday 14 January 2010 at 10:45 by Evelyn Curlet

Frothy and intoxicating, Legally Blonde has burst into the West End like a fizzing bottle of pink champagne. This musical will not disappoint fans of the movie - it’s a faithful, funny and feel-good adaptation.

Sheridan Smith (Elle Woods) and Matthew McKenna (Aaron) in Legally Blonde at the Savoy Theatre Photo: Tristram Kenton

On a predominantly pink set, Sheridan Smith stars as Elle Wood, a bubbly blonde who manages to get herself into Harvard Law in order to pursue her ex-boyfriend Warner. While there, Elle realises she has more to offer than manicure tips and style advice, and reinvents herself as a Barbie with brains.

Smith is hugely appealing in the lead role, full of comic energy with a strong clear singing voice. The catchy songs and slick choreography dominate the production, which has comparatively little dialogue. The most tongue-in-cheek numbers work best - particular stand-outs are Omigod You Guys and There! Right There!, which features a courtroom chorus of “Gay or European?”.

Duncan James, formerly of boyband Blue, is well cast as self-absorbed, self-important Warner (his duet with Smith, Serious, is especially funny) while Alex Gaumond has a sweet, low-key charm as Elle’s later love interest, Emmett.

The number Whipped into Shape, led by Aoife Mulholland as Brooke, impresses with its physically demanding skipping rope routine and induces wide-eyed awe in the audience. The packed house whooped and hollered delightedly throughout the show. With a talented cast, tight direction and dance routines from Jerry Mitchell, and scene-stealing turns from the pet pooches Bruiser and Rufus, Legally Blonde boasts an exuberant comic spirit that few will be able to resist.