Emily McDougall gives a highly spirited performance as Elle, with enough presence to lead the musical. She brings charm, determination, and an infectious confidence that carries the role with ease. However, to better match her movie counterpart, her costumes could be more unapologetically feminine, boldly pink, and cleverly subversive to fully capture the character’s appeal. Similarly, the blonde wig she wears needs to be securely set, as the lifting adhesive around her face became increasingly visible and distracting.
Of the rest of the cast, Jackson Cross does excellent work as Emmett Forrest, showcasing his naivety and earnest vulnerability that make him a genuinely likable partnering to Elle. Tahlia Pizzicara is a delight to watch as she gleefully chews the scenery as the “villainous” Vivienne Kensington, delivering the right amount of sharp wit and icy disdain. Kadee Axiak as Enid Hoops provides brilliant comedic timing that makes the most of the limited stage time she has. Vanessa Yeo stands out as Pilar, one of Elle’s loyal besties, blending warmth and humour to bring heart to the ensemble.
It would be remiss of me not to mention the two cast members who stole the hearts of every single person in the sold-out theatre: Indi the Shih Tzu as Rufus and George the Yorkie as Bruiser. Their brief turns in the limelight, including a few adorable tricks, were a lovely surprise and added an irresistible dose of joy to the show.
The book by Heather Hach brings Elle’s story to life with sincere, whimsical moments, striking a good balance between the show’s liveliness and emotional beats. Aimee Forrest does a great job directing a cast of 34 humans and two animals, ensuring there’s always ample action on stage with each performer having something to contribute. That said, certain scenes - especially when classic lines from the film are spoken - could have been played for a bit more laughter or impact, rather than treated as just another scripted line.
Laurence O’Keefe and Nell Benjamin’s music and lyrics present upbeat tunes, but songs like “Ireland” and “The Harvard Variation” tend to overstay their welcome and slow the show’s pace. Musical director Kent Ross successfully leans into a bright, pop-Broadway sound that matches Elle’s bubbly personality and the show’s feel-good tone. This meshes wonderfully with Maggie Lynch’s choreography, which includes a memorable skipping rope routine during “Whipped Into Shape” and plenty of laughs in “There! Right! There!”. The ensemble remix of “Legally Blonde” is very energetic and keeps the momentum buzzing into the finale.
With an inclusive casting policy, independent theatre company Theatrical Inc has pulled together a seriously talented cast for its production of Legally Blonde. With news of a Legally Blonde TV series on the horizon, this musical is the perfect reason to slip into your pink heels and enjoy a night of laughs, energy, and fun.
SHOW DETAILS
Venue: The National Theatre, 20 Carlisle St, St. Kilda
Season: until 27 July | Wed - Fri 7:30pm, Sat 1:30pm and 7:30pm, Sun 6:30pm
Duration:
140 minutes (inc. 20 minute interval)
Tickets: $65 - $99
Bookings: The National Theatre
Images credit: Tom Noble
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