Musical Theatre Dunedin
Mayfair Theatre
Thursday, August 17
REVIEWED BY MARIAN POOLE
A packed house vigorously applauded Musical Theatre Dunedin’s production of the American musical Legally Blonde at the celebrated home of musical theatre in Dunedin, the Mayfair Theatre.
Legally Blonde canvases all but domestic violence in its flossy and thoroughly rainbow razzle-dazzle tour of gender bias issues.
And there is a significant list to touch base on.
Staging the show in the wake of local women’s World Cup matches and in the leadup to an election offers a chance to capitalise on and perpetuate support for strong-minded women.
Putting to one side the oxymorons of promoting partying above study, openly explicit dance moves and the underlying theme of finding fulfilment in Mr Right, Legally Blonde managed to be uplifting.
The Harvard girls learn to party hard.
Court room bloodletting remains the road to success, even via a lawyer dressed in road-cone orange.
One can be gay and European.
The production of Legally Blonde cannot be faulted, though the American penchant for screaming at high decibel became wearying.
Choreography by Cadyne Geary was flawless; the cast were constantly in character, near word perfect and reached perfection in matching the music.
The American accent and onstage energy remained true and limitless.
Excellent costuming emphasised character stereotypes.
Even the canines played into the cues.
Witty interjections kept the plotline real and thoroughly enjoyed by the audience.
Lead roles reflected the overall excellence of the cast.
Ariana Gepte’s Elle was suitably sweet.
Jack Archibald’s Warner was a convincing rising corporate.
George Keen’s Emmett converted convincingly from swot to party boy.
Madi Dow moved seamlessly from grey-suited snob into vibrant sisterhood.
Backstage crew made it all appear trouble free.
Congratulations also to Mayfair Theatre, in its faded glory, for its ongoing valuable tradition supporting local arts.
