From bend-and-snap moments to Barbiecore styling, Legally Blonde The Musical brings hot pink glamour and plenty of Y2K nostalgia to the Theatre Royal.
I confess. It’s been a long time since I last watched Legally Blonde starring the charismatic Reese Witherspoon – a film celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. Like Clueless, it left a lasting mark on our pop culture, and with Barbiecore still very much of the moment (thank you, Margot Robbie), Legally Blonde feels just as relevant today as it did then.
This week, a musical adaptation of this Y2K classic strutted into Newcastle, bringing its powerhouse blend of fashion and feminism to the stage at Newcastle Theatre Royal.
Be warned: there’s a lot of bubblegum pink to behold as Elle Woods and her sorority sisters bend and snap their way through this high fashion, high-energy musical.
Amber Davies, of Love Island and Strictly Come Dancing fame, steps into Elle’s sparkly high heels in what proves to be an inspired casting choice. She effortlessly captures Elle, the sweet yet stereotyped Malibu girl, who is determined to win back her ex Warner (played by Jamie Chatterton) after he trades her for a ‘serious’ life and ‘serious’ girlfriend at Harvard Law School.
Cue plenty of assumptions about our stylish protagonist as she follows him all the way to Harvard and navigates a world where beauty and brains are not expected to co-exist.
But with some encouragement from the down-to-earth Emmett, portrayed by George Crawford, Elle soon finds her calling as a lawyer while helping unravel a high-profile murder case – and she proves her doubters wrong.
The show’s musical numbers burst with youthful optimism, although some of the vocals were occasionally a little pitchy. Dialling the enthusiasm back slightly would allow the performances to shine without losing the cast’s infectious, feel-good energy.
Elle’s big-hearted salon-owner friend, Paulette, played by Karen Mavundukure, almost steals the show with her comedic timing and powerful vocals. Her rendition of Ireland was one of the evening’s standout moments for me, sending tingles up the back of my neck.
There are also two undeniably adorable scene-stealers to look out for: Bruiser the Chihuahua and Rufus the bulldog who, at least on the night I attended, performed paw-fectly! Each appearance prompted small gasps of delight from the audience. (And I hear they even share their own dressing room!)
Time for the verdict…
Is Legally Blonde the ultimate high-glam musical and crowd-pleasing night out?
Omigod, yes. Guilty as charged.
Beneath the glossiness, glamour and sorority chants lies an enduring message about female ambition, friendship and self-worth. And with an Elle Woods prequel set to air on TV this July, this is a character that continues to resonate with audiences across both stage and screen.
Legally Blonde The Musical runs until 17th May 2026 at Newcastle Theatre Royal. For more details, visit www.theatreroyal.co.uk.
Photos: Marc Brenner
