Perfect rom-com is pretty in pink

LEGALLY BLONDE, Opera House, Manchester, to September 22
ELLE Woods, the blonde bimbo smart enough to take on Harvard Law in pink and win, returns to Manchester to prove just why this hilarious show is a winner wherever it plays.

And while for some the attraction might be the long legs and tight outfits (boys and girls); for others the storyline of girl doggedly following the boy who rejected her, then realising he’s not good enough, or even the two cute little dogs, this show works, and brilliantly, on all levels.

Yes it’s a sentimental and silly, highly predictable musical rom-com, but unlike some it is decidedly funny, with strong, sharp lyrics.

It is also far, far better on stage than on film: the fast pace and fly-by episodes work better here than in more realistic cinema locations.

Which also means the stage show thrives on vibrant, larger than life performances — and it certainly gets them here.

Foremost is the astonishing Faye Brookes as Elle, absolutely a pink-shaded force of nature. Pretty much on stage throughout, she is endearing, funny, energy-packed, has a fabulous voice and is great at the physical comedy — of which there isn’t much, but what there is requires great subtlety and lightness of touch.

Her drive is matched by her horde of fellow West Coast girlies, the down-to-earthiness of Jennifer Ellison as her pal Paulette, the sickly charm of Gareth Gates as the man who leaves her behind and the likeability of Iwan Lewis as Emmet, the man who takes his place — eventually.

Which brings us to the show’s other hugely satisfying feature, the love and care with which it has been put together.

Some would go for broad splashes and obviousness; others would play up the romanticism at the show’s heart. But this production hits everything on the spot: the comedy is silly, the singing powerful, the playing fantastic — music and acting — and the direction a terrific mix of silly comedy and finely-honed details.

Whether it’s the perfect training of the dogs, the deep innuendo of the UPS man’s “package”, the girly handshakes and interactions of the West Coast girls or the daftness of the court song “Gay or European?”, “Legally Blonde” shows why it remains firmly in the pink.


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