Legally Blonde: Darlington Operatic Society, Darlington Civic Theatre
BROADWAY smash and Hollywood hit Legally Blonde has arrived in Darlington and OMG what an opening night. With a highly-talented cast and hugely-energetic chorus, the musical will only go from strength to strength as this run continues.
The story, of course, revolves around professional mall-queen Elle Woods. She’s on a mission to get to Harvard Law and win back the ex-boyfriend who has decided she’s just not “serious”. With Bruiser the Chihuahua and the latest Vogue under her arm, she sets about conquering the courtroom as well as her back-stabbing classmates.
Rachel Slattery and Claire Willmer will alternate as Elle, but it was Slattery who stole the show on opening night with a strong vocal performance and brilliant comic timing. She moved effortlessly from sorority-ditz to blonde with brains as she belted out a totally fabulous set of tunes with the sort of gusto these high-energy songs demand. Other stand-outs included Nicholas Holmes as the charming but unlikely love interest Emmett, and Julian Cound’s suitably skin-crawling performance as Professor Callaghan. Michael Hirst is perfect in the role of lawyer-cum-model boyfriend Warner, while Hayley Walker bossed the Brooklyn accent and exhibited her sultry singing voice as Paulette. Unsurprisingly, the biggest laughs came from Luke Oldfield as dreamboat delivery boy Kyle, who has a bad habit of “forgetting his stylus” (ahem).
* Legally Blonde runs until Saturday, April 30. Box Office: 01325-244659 or darlingtonos.org.uk or call the Civic Theatre Box Office on 01325-486555
Adam Thompson
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