A brief review of my visit this week to see Olivier Award winner Legally Blonde the Musical at The Savoy Theatre.

For those of you that haven’t seen the musical or the film, the storyline goes something like this; College sweetheart and homecoming queen Elle Woods doesn’t take ‘no’ for an answer. So when her boyfriend dumps her for someone ‘serious’, Elle puts down the credit card, hits the books, and heads for Harvard Law School!

When I first went to see Legally Blonde the Musical (have seen it five times now), Sheridan Smith was playing Elle Woods, and I have to say that having seen Sheridan in Little Shop of Horrors, she was the main attraction to go and see Legally Blonde. She deservedly won the Olivier Awards for Best Actress in a Musical, a few weeks ago.

In my opinion, the musical is far better than the film and is full of fun, laughter, song and dance from the opening scene to the final one. This really is a ‘feel-good’ show. The humour is delivered with great timing which makes it still funny after five shows!

The dance scenes are full of enthusiasm and passion and the show deservedly won the Best Choreography Award at the What’s On Stage Awards earlier this year.

Okay, what was different about the show this week?

Well, firstly, Carley Stenson played the lead role of Elle Woods, and I have to say that she was brilliant. To follow in the footsteps of Sheridan Smith, Susan McFadden and Nicola Brazil wasn’t an easy task, but Carley put her own personality on the role and was superb. I will be surprised if Carley isn’t a permanent leading lady in the not too distant future!

The second major cast change from previous shows that I have seen was that Natalie Casey (Two Pints of Lager) is now performing the role of Paulette, Elle’s best friend and hairdresser!

I liked Denise Van Outen as Paulette and was sorry to see her leave but Natalie has made this role her own very quickly. Natalie has a very different style to Denise, but one that you cannot help but warm to. Natalie has already won the hearts of Legally Blonde fans that have been to see the show, including me! Well done Natalie and best wishes for you in Legally Blonde. You are brilliant!

So, if you haven’t been to see Legally Blonde The Musical at The Savoy Theatre then you are missing out. It really is a fabulous musical and one that when you leave the theatre at the end of the show, you will have a smile on your face. Isn’t that what it is all about?

PS… am off to see the show for the 6th time next weekend!

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Content updated 1st May 2014