Scene One Review
LEGALLY BLONDE
Opening to sensational reviews and recipient of a number of major awards including Best New Musical at the London Olivier Awards 2011, Legally Blonde tells the story of Elle Woods as she gains a place at the prestigious Harvard Law School with the aim of winning back the heart of her teenage heart-throb, Warner Huntington. She discovers how her knowledge of the law can help others while staying true to herself. With a clever and catchy musical score by Laurence O’Keefe and Nell Benjamin, this show is full of energy, charm – and plenty of pink!
Watch out, Sheridan Smith! Madison Cooper gives a faultless performance as Elle Woods with excellent vocal ability and an effortless sense of style. The beautiful vocals of Ebony Deas as Paulette and Luke Barker as Emmett both provide comedic and charismatic support with some hilarious moments in the show which left the audience in stitches of laughter. The entire cast gives a professional and energetic performance and it is noticeable how much fun everyone is having on stage. Two cute dogs complete the casting line-up: I always worry how they will respond to a full auditorium or perhaps the sheer drop into the orchestra pit, but even they give a show-stealing performance!
Creating and performing these productions requires a team of dedicated leaders. Co-directors Harry Andreou and Michael Mullen have pulled together another successful production with effective and creative choreography by Lisa McGreal. Together with a superb 13-piece orchestra conducted by Nigel Finch and slick set and lighting design, Legally Blonde is definitely another CPTY success.
For me the only real weakness was the clarity of the sound, which has always seemed to be a problem at The Point. Some of the dialogue was missed due to the sound issues, which was no fault of the cast members; it was more of a technical hitch which will surely be cleared up as the run continues.
As Elle Woods states, ‘Oh my God, you guys’ – get a ticket before it’s too late! There are performances on 24 February at 7.30 and 25 February at 2.30 and 7.30.
Curtain Call Review
Legally Blonde: the musical
Centrestage Productions Youth Theatre
The Point, Eastleigh
THE tale of Elle Woods, the sorority, cheerleader queen who followed her ex-boyfriend to Harvard Law School to win him back, was given a frothy and immensely fun treatment in CPYT's new production.
A fast moving, witty and likeable show, it was handled with great assurance and flair by its directors Harry Andreou and Michael Mullen and contained some of the best choreographed moves seen so far this year.
Under the assured musical direction of Nigel Finch the production numbers were beautifully arranged and performed.
The cast's enthusiasm and enjoyment was infectious. Madison Cooper (Elle) had the right amount of sparkle and perky charm to carry the proceedings on her shoulders, ably supported by her fellow cast members. Luke Barker was charming as Emmett, while Ebony Deas was naturally funny and utterly irresistible as lovelorn Paulette. Dogs Bruiser and Rufus were scene stealers too.
Karen Robson
Sardines Magazine Review
Legally Blonde |
Music and Lyrics by Laurence O'Keefe and Nell BenjaminBook by Heather HachBased on the novel by Amanda Brownand the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer motion picture.This amateur production is presented by arrangeme |
society/company: Centrestage Productions Youth Theatre (directory) |
performance date: 21 Feb 2017 |
venue: The Point |
reviewer/s: Bob Heather (Sardines review) |
|
Legally Blonde by Lawrence O’Keefe and Nell Benjamin based on the book by Heather Hach. The show was brought full of fizz and bubbles to The Point in Eastleigh, Hampshire by Centrestage Productions Youth Theatre. |