The Liverpool Empire theatre was awash with anticipation last night as the West End smash hit 'Legally Blonde the Musical' premiered its UK tour.
Adapted for the stage following the 2001 movie starring Reese Witherspoon, Faye Brooks superbly takes on the role of bubbly blonde Elle Woods while Liverpool lass Liz McClarnon (Atomic Kitten) proves her singing voice isn't her only talent, displaying perfect comedic timing as ditsy hairdresser Paulette Buonufonté.
Despite being a huge fan of the 90s flick 'Clueless' as a teenager, it was with a 'grown up' sneer I allowed the Legally Blonde movie to completely pass me by. For those who don't belong to the 'MTV Generation', the tour programme is filled with explanations for terms such as Frat Boys and Elle's fictional Sorority House 'Delta Nu'.
Legally Blonde's storyline, simple as it is, could loosely be likened to Educating Rita for a US audience. With a scene-stealing pet chihuahua "Bruiser" in her handbag, Malibu-born Elle Woods is a West Coast girl through-and-through.
A popular Homecoming Queen, surrounded by a gaggle of 'OH MY GOD!' screeching cheerleader pals, Elle is convinced boyfriend Warner Huntington (The Third) is about to propose.
Inevitably, Elle's fairytale collapses as Warner (weakly portrayed by Neil Toon from Hollyoaks) dumps her for fear his parents will not consider her 'serious'.
Unperturbed by Warner's derisive decision, "Miss Woods, Elle" is determined to prove her mind's worth more than the sum of her blonde locks and candy-floss pink dresses. Thus, in pursuit of her man, she gains a place at Harvard Law School. Yes, for the cynical amongst us, suspension of disbelief is essential.
Full to the brim with tongue-in-cheek show-stopping numbers such as "The Bend and Snap" and "Is he gay, or European?" and energetic, excellently choreographed dance routines, the slick and classy execution throughout the two-hour performance is without question.
While Elle's antics lack any real substance, this musical ticks all the boxes and spirits cannot fail to be lifted as we witness Elle's triumph in the court room. A sickly-sweet happy ending had the sell-out Liverpool audience on its feet with a rousing standing ovation.
8/10
Visit www.liverpoolempire.org.uk for ticket details.
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