Review: Legally Blonde at Milton Keynes Theatre is one Elle of a fun journey

I vaguely remember the movie, which came out way back in 2001 and followed Elle Woods on her transformation from a rather shallow fashionista to a legal ace at Harvard Law School.

The musical has been a smash hit in the West End and Broadway and now a brand-new version from producers ROYO and Curve has set off on a UK and Ireland tour.

Expecting a marriage proposal, Elle (played by impressive Amber Davies here) is rocked when boyfriend Warner (Jamie Chatterton) breaks up with her instead. He’s off to Harvard and thinks she’s not serious enough for him – cruelly labelling her “tacky”.

She decides to prove him wrong, concentrates on her studies, and manages to earn a place at Harvard too in a bid to win him back.

Strap yourselves in because this is a 100mph, chaotic show, where there’s barely time to pause for breath between scenes.

The set design is simplistic but extremely effective. For most scenes a background is quickly dropped into place and a few props get wheeled on, and it’s off we go again.

You can’t help but chuckle when Elle rocks up at Harvard in her pink outfit amongst all the smart grey suits and is told “this is Harvard, not a stripper bar”.

We’re introduced to Law Professor Callahan (Adam Cooper) through one of my favourite numbers of the night, “Blood in the Water”, where he demonstrates to his new arrivals the reality of life as a lawyer so he can see if they’ve got what it takes.

I must admit I did tend to enjoy the show’s solos more, maybe because I struggled to make out the lyrics at times when a larger number of the cast were involved.

That said, the group choreography was brilliant and you have to wonder how the girls keep it going at such an infectious pace for over two hours in those heels!

There are plenty of clever scenes, such as when the girlies from back home in California appear on the stage to offer advice when Elle discovers Warner has a new girlfriend, proclaiming “we’re not here, we’re in your head”.

When she decides to go brunette to try to win back her man, you’re left wondering if she’ll ever see sense and refocus her attention on Emmett (George Crawford), the man that is showing genuine interest in her.

Her new hairdresser buddy Paulette (Karen Mavundukure) talks her out of dying her blonde locks – and then launches into the superb solo “Ireland”, which was another real highlight of the night. Karen’s Paulette was such a fun character, who seemed to be rather shy of men – until the UPS delivery guy changed all that!

When Callahan hires some of his interns to assist in a high-profile case involving well-known fitness instructor Brooke Windham (who is accused of murdering her husband) it is time for Elle to shine.

The courtroom scene – including the thoroughly entertaining “There! Right There!” – sees Elle prove herself as a successful lawyer.

With it’s likeable characters (I nearly forgot to mention adorable canine companions Bruiser Woods and Rufus), energetic performances across the cast, and a big sprinkling of humour, Legally Blonde will take you on one Elle of a fun journey!

Legally Blonde runs until Saturday at Milton Keynes Theatre. Tickets are available at ATGTICKETS.COM/MiltonKeynes