Review: Legally Blonde at the Liverpool Empire

Feb 14 2012 by Kathryn Quayle, Chester Chronicle

LEGALLY BLONDE/Empire Theatre, Liverpool

REVIEW/by Kathryn Quayle

LEGALLY Blonde burst back on to the Empire stage with a big pink bang.

The West End smash hit kicked off its UK tour in Liverpool last summer and its return brought high-spirited theatrical fun by the sack load.

The lead roles of bubbly blonde sorority sister Elle Woods, played by Reese Witherspoon in the 2001 film, and Emmett Forrest remained the same, but this time there was argueably even more chemistry between Faye Brookes’ and Iwan Lewis.

Joining them were Scouse favourites comedian Les Dennis, X Factor star Ray Quinn and actress Claire Sweeney.

The story is simple, Elle is a Malibu Barbie who becomes an East Coast legal eagle in a bid to win the affection of her love interest.

She is pretty, popular and surrounded by ‘OH MY GOD!’ screeching cheerleader friends – as well as scene-stealing pet Chihuahua Bruiser.

When she is dumped by boyfriend Warner Huntington III for not being serious enough she is left heart broken and determined to win him back.

To prove him wrong she gains a place at Harvard Law School, wins over her snobby classmates and takes on a murder case.

Elle finally gets her happily ever after – though it isn’t with the man she was initially chasing.

One of the funniest elements of the show is Sweeney’s amusing performance as Paulette Buonufonte, Elle’s beautician and friend.

She has returned to the role after a three-month break and her scenes with Kyle the UPS delivery guy are some of the best.

The slick production is filled with terrific dance routines and show-stopping numbers such as The Bend And Snap and the There! Right There! courtroom scene, otherwise known as Gay or European, which was met with shrieks of laughter from the packed audience.

This feel-good show ticks all the boxes. It is fun and fabulous. The catchy soundtrack has been stuck in my head all week and I’m still smiling now!