SAVOY THEATRE

The entrance to the Savoy Theater has had a touch of pink. I eased my way through lots of giggly fans happy snapping in front of life size photos of the stars at the entrance. Convinced that Legally Blonde was especially made for these girly girls I was rather surprised to find that in spite of myself I thoroughly enjoyed this fabulous, fun and rather pink affair.

Sheridan Smith really sparkles as Elle Wood - this little lady has lots of talent. Alongside a fantastic cast including Blue boy band star Duncan James (Warner), Jill Halfpenny (Paulette), Susan McFadden (Serena), Aoife Mulholland (Brooke) and Peter Davison (Professor Callahan). However definite favourites were the canine members of the cast, Elle's Chihauhau;Bruiser Paulette's Bulldog; Rufus.

After been dumped by boyfriend Warner, the rather hunky Duncan James, Elle is determined to prove that she is serious. Her plan:

Step 1 Get in to Harvard & do a degree in love...
I mean Law
Step 2 Impress Warner with her high IQ
Step 3 Throw a great big wedding.

Miss Woods comma L gets into Harvard, accompanied by Bruiser, her fake-Greek chorus and pink wardrobe. And with the help of her new corduroy-clad friend Emmet (Alex Gaumond), shes one unstoppable blonde hurricane hurtling towards a new way at looking at life.

With a catchy score and terrific dance routines you will no doubt be dancing in your seat and fighting songs out of your head afterwards. My favourites were unquestionably Omigodyouguys, Bend and Snap (which you definitely need to practice) and Right There! featuring a courtroom chorus of "Gay or European?" (this may have had better effect on a slightly less European audience).

Producer Sonia Friedman insists that it was men who scored highest on the grin-o-meter at the Broadway production. But what's not to love about a cast dominated by pretty blondes? Friedman insisted that Legally Blonde is a show for everyone: "It is a show for girls to take boyfriends, boyfriends to take girlfriends, grandparents to take kids, kids to take dads, boyfriends to take boyfriends"... you get the point!

In Sheridan Smith's words: "this show will make you feel like you've been wrapped up in a giant pink bow, had a big hug and a big Chihuahua lick". Smiths delightful touch of mischief and wit adds a savoury edge to what would otherwise be a sickly sweet musical.

This screen-to-stage musical is bound to chase away winter blues and put a sparkly smile on your face.

Theatre Advice
Savoy has a lovely auditorium which seats 1157 people. It has rather intriguing large grapes painted on the walls in the hallway. There are four bars: Stalls, Lounge, Dress Circle and Upper Circle.

Due to a high stage the view is restricted from rows A to C in the Stalls for most children and shorter adults. In the Stalls the Dress Circle overhangs the stalls, the view from row O back is slightly affected. In the Dress Circle the Upper Circle overhangs the Dress Circle slightly affecting the view from row K back. Upper Circle is rather high up above the stage so the rear seats feel rather distant from the stage.