Review: Legally Blonde: The Musical ***

Some shows carry with them low expectations. Legally Blonde: The Musical is not one of them.

After being showered with awards in the West End, the long-awaited touring production has been selling out wherever it goes. It’s easy to see why.

Based on the film starring Reese Witherspoon, the story of Elle Woods, the soriety girl, who takes on Harvard and turns New York courtrooms pink after being dumped by her boyfriend for being too frivolous, lends itself to the stage.

Here, Faye Brookes delivers a fine performance as Elle, but it’s Liz McClarnon as her beautician friend Paulette who is the real revelation. The former Atomic Kitten was made for musicals and, if she hasn’t already, she should have a steady stream of producers knocking on her door very soon.

There are a few bum notes though and Neil Toon doesn’t quite cut it as Elle’s preppy ex, but the real problem here is that there just aren’t enough big numbers. Omigod You Guys and Whipped into Shape are memorable, but There! Right There! is the only standout song.

It’s a show which has moments of perfection, but which struggles to justify its two and a quarter hours. It’s impossible to come away from Legally Blonde: The Musical feeling entirely cheated. The show oozes a feelgood atmosphere from start to finish, but does it live up to the hype? Unfortunately not.

To August 20.