The Hills Musical Theatre Company. Stirling Theatre. 7 Nov 2014
Legally Blonde the musical tells the story of Elle Woods, a Delta Nu sorority girl who unexpectedly enrols at Harvard Law School to follow the love of her life, Warner. Based on the novel ‘Legally Blonde’ and 2001 film starring Reese Witherspoon, the themes explored include self-belief, integrity, stereotyping and honesty.
The musical doesn’t quite have the same poignancy as the film, but it is so much fun to watch, and in the hands of David Sinclair (Direction), Mark DeLaine (Musical Direction) and Linda Williams (Choreography) The Hills Musical Theatre Company’s production is a winner. Sinclair has assembled an outstanding cast; the whole ensemble shines.
Williams’ choreography and the player’s execution is a particular highlight of this production. With everything from Irish dancing to an athletic skipping routine the whole cast relishes every step and takes maximum advantage of the small Stirling Theatre stage. The set, designed by Sinclair, is remarkably simple despite its technical complexity. The entire stage cyclorama has been clad with plasma screens to create a multimedia wall which offers up both locations and video interludes to string the scenes together. The effect is brilliant and, when supplemented with simple, uncluttered furniture, really delivers.
Mark Oakley’s lighting design is slick and bright. The far sides of the stage are occasionally in the dark leaving a few faces under-lit. The scrim, energetically drawn back and forward all night long, is slightly too transparent but otherwise very successful during quick scene changes. Costuming by Sue Winston and Michelle Davy is extraordinary and easily the most successful production element, transforming and transporting individual characters and the whole show into the American University cum cheerleading stereotype.
The orchestra plays soundly with direction from DeLaine, though my key disappointment was the sound mix and levels which left many of the song lyrics (sung at speed) inaudible. These improved in the second half, but the lead players are particularly difficult to understand when accompanied by the chorus.
All of the players excel and it is difficult to single anyone out, but the leads are deserving of a mention; Tegan Gully as Elle, Brady Lloyd as Emmett, Fiona DeLaine as Paulette, Matt Prime as Warner, Rebecca Raymond as Vivienne, Nicholas Bishop as Professor Callahan and Shenayde Wilkinson-Sarti as Brooke Wyndham.
The popularity of the show has seen the entire season (bar about 3 tickets) sell prior to opening, so if you are not booked you may have missed out this time. With a few tweaks to the sound levels this production will go down as one of the best for 2014.
Paul Rodda
When: 7 to 22 Nov
Where: Stirling Community Theatre
Bookings: SOLD OUT
