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This Legally Blonde is, like, totally a hit

Legally Blonde (Open Air Theatre, Regent’s Park) Verdict: So fun you guys! ★★★★I

OH MY God, you guys! It looks like Regent’s Park has a hit on its hands to open the summer season, thanks to a new musical production of the 2001 movie Legally Blonde — revamped for the approval of today’s ‘Gen Z’ social media radicals.

The anti-stereotype comedy (that’s famously packed with stereotypes) originally starred Reese Witherspoon as Elle, the ditzy blonde who proves detractors wrong by flying high at Harvard Law School. The film went on to spawn a West End musical starring Sheridan Smith.

Here, though, they’ve ousted the all-white characters and have cast mixed-heritage Courtney Bowman as Elle.

The show also references Instagram influencers, plus size models . . . and Timothée Chalamet. Despite this, I’m pleased to report that it remains the most deliciously cheerful kitsch. It is, after all, a tale where wisdom consists of such timeless maxims as ‘the number one reason for all bad hair decisions is . . . love’.

Directed by Lucy Moss, one of the tireless pioneers behind the historical musical Six, it’s performed with lashings of verve and a modicum of finesse (a quality that’s about as welcome in Elle’s world as a Latin primer in a Kardashian nail salon).

The lip-shaped stage is painted and accessorised in shades of our heroine’s beloved pink not previously conceived by man, woman or gender intersectional. Choreography amounts to little more than synchronised cheerleading, but it does get a delighted crowd screaming ‘stop-IT!’ — particularly whenever Elle’s lapdog Bruiser (an actor in a pooch costume) prances onstage.

As Elle, Bowman is huge fun — a comic actor who reminded me of Dawn French. She loves to be loved by the adoring crowd and holds her own in undemanding tunes. What she lacks in agility, she more than makes up for in twinkly personality.

The main threat to her star status is Nadine Higgin, as her confessor and hairdresser Paulette, who has swagger, timing, moves and big gospel pipes.

Elle’s only other rival is Lauren Drew, as the fitness guru she defends in court, who sings her workout number, Whipped Into Shape, while doing extreme skipping.

It’s Friday! Theatre & Opera

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2022-05-27T07:00:00.0000000Z

2022-05-27T07:00:00.0000000Z

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