Omigod you guys Legally Blonde is back in Manchester painting the city a vivid shade of pink as it holds court at the Opera House.
The Olivier award winning musical based on the 2001 hit comedy starring Reese Witherspoon transfers to the stage – jampacked with high energy numbers and dance routines.
Taking the lead role of Elle is Flixton born Faye Brookes who toured with this production last year and 12 months on still manages to play the part with a freshness and energy that has you transfixed.
I’ll let you into a secret…Brookes is not actually blonde (I know this as I have interviewed her and discovered her hair is as dark as my roots…and trust me that’s dark!) that aside once the wig is on she embodies Elle for all her girliness and sorority madness.
Cast as Elle’s ex boyfriend Warner is former pop star Gareth Gates who has managed to carve himself a successful career in musical theatre previously putting on the dreamcoat to play Joseph and more recently proving to be a worthy Marius in the 25th anniversary tour of Les Miserables. Gates belts out some great vocals as you might expect from the former choir boy and ‘Pop Idol’ finalist-it’s a shame the part does not allow him to do more but for the time he is on stage he’s definitely an audience pleaser prompting many a whoop and a wolf whistle.
Celeb spotters will also enjoy seeing Jennifer Ellison in the supporting role of unlucky in love beautician Paulette. Fresh from starring in Calendar Girls Ellison uses her acting background to draw out a character performance which has the audience in stitches, especially as she practices the ‘Bend and Snap’ move to snare her man!
Highlights: ‘Gay or European’ courtroom number and Bruiser the dog!
The Jury is out…
Verdict. Like totally ‘Guilty’ pleasure guys
Legally Blonde The Musical
Opera House, Quay Street, Manchester
Tuesday 11-Saturday 22 September
Booking details: 0844 871 3018
www.legallyblondethemusicalontour
