Presented by: Pelican Productions
Reviewed: 10 August, 2023
Local, award-winning production company Pelican Productions returns to the Arts Theatre for the latest musical series. This season is a double feature of the already staged Frozen Jr and Legally Blonde the Musical.
Based on the hit 2001 movie and subsequent 2007 musical by Heather Hach, this youth production of Legally Blonde the Musical spotlights some exciting emerging talents. This season of the show has a double cast list for its run, which allows for switches in the lead roles. The cast lists were divided and named Rufus and Bruiser, with this review experiencing the Rufus cast.
Legally Blonde the Musical is a comedy musical following Elle (Hannah Brown) on her journey of self-discovery from romantic sorority girl to dedicated and passionate law student who embraces her uniqueness to overcome challenges, even those unique aspects that are based in stereotypes.
Elle is suddenly dumped by long-term boyfriend Warner (Henry Hasler). When he heads to Harvard Law school, she pursues him only to find he’s already dating Vivienne (Caitlin Laventure). After drawing inspiration from new friends, the local manicurist Paulette (Zoe Waters) and recently-graduated lawyer Emmett (Alek Kudra), she strikes ahead on her studies, which lead her to winning a spot assisting professor Callahan (Scott Green) in defending Brooke (Tayla Prime) in a murder trial.
There was a strong performance from the entire cast. The solo numbers, on the whole, were wonderfully sung, making a single stand-out singing performance difficult to highlight. There were some minor timing and flow issues in the group numbers toward the beginning of the show, which smoothed out as the show progressed.
The characterisation was another highlight among the central roles. Each performer drew on the essential nods and attitudes of their character and hit the archetypical marks. The subtleties of Laventure’s Vivienne’s disdain for Elle and general uptight attitude were conveyed exceptionally successfully for the contrast between the rivals and to keep up a constant underlining humour. Water’s Paulette’s joy and constant optimism in her movements and emoting was also highly entertaining for the more overt comedic moments.
The staging and costuming, featuring projected lighting (animation by Ray Cullen, and lighting design by Cambell Lawrence and Jen Firth), had all the essentials and were incredibly well-developed for the intended style of musical. There are the usual limitations working within a smaller venue, which the production team were able to craft into a superb presentation.
The choreography by Shenayde Wilkinson-Sarti and general stagecraft were enjoyable and skilful, with plenty of space for each performer to stand out. While technically an amateur production with some glitches here and there, the young ensemble and crew demonstrated polished, high quality musical theatre.
This season of Legally Blonde the Musical directed by Adam Goodburn, produced by Jen Frith and Kylie Green, and under musical direction of Ben Francis has a four-show run, including a Saturday matinee show.
Reviewed by: Alex Dunkin
Photo credit: Oliver Toth – Accent Photography
Venue: Arts Theatre, 53 Angas Street Adelaide
Season: 10-12 August, 2023
Duration: 2 hr 30 mins
Tickets: $35-$45
Bookings: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1056743
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