Legally Blonde: The Musical

The opening minutes of Legally Blonde: The Musical make it hard to determine whether you can endure the two-hour long onslaught of pink, glitz, and “OMG guys!” but, as the musical bounces along like manicured blonde curls, and is willing to make a mockery of the endearingly trashy plot, viewers can relax and indulge in its garishness. No extravagance is spared as each set becomes more elaborate than the last; some scenes reminiscent of a Barbie and Ken adventure, complete with top-down convertible and sweater strewn shoulders, amongst other things. There's even Bruiser and Rufus, the quivering chihuahua and portly bulldog that elicit the most enthusiasm from the crowd. However, amidst such tawdry is a clever weaving of traditional theatrical conventions such as a Greek chorus, formed from the spangled members of the Delta Nu sorority. In similar good taste are songs such as Gay Or European, which prove to be both witty and topical, celebrating gay partnerships, and plot alterations that allow Elle Woods (played by the untiring Lucy Durack) to be the marriage proposer in the final scene – a remark about the equality and independence of the modern woman. Overall, a musical that could have been a brightly coloured, high-pitched travesty is engaging, fun and a genuine success, where the film gets honoured while still allowing for creativity to be injected.

Princess Theatre to Sunday 29 September