Legally Blonde

College sweetheart and homecoming queen Elle Woods doesn't take no for an answer. So when her boyfriend, Warner, dumps her for someone serious, Elle puts down the credit card, hits the books, and heads for Harvard Law School!

Based on the hit movieof the same name, Legally Blonde the Musical is the Broadway sensation created by a top-of-their-class creative team, led by Tony Award-winning director and Olivier nominated choreographer Jerry Mitchell (Hairspray).

Legally Blonde the Musical willtake you from the social whirl of California Campus life to Harvard's Halls of Justice with the West End's brightest new heroine (and of course, her Chihuahua, Bruiser).

The verdict? This much fun shouldn' be legal!

When it opened in New York in September 2007, the musical adaptation of Legally Blonde was an instant hit. The show is, of course, based on the hit 2001 movie that starred Reese Witherspoon as pampered rich girl Elle Woods. The story of Elle’s quest to be taken seriously while taking law at Harvard immediately caught on with America’s teenagers when it took to the stage, and the show’s lead actress Laura Bell Bundy was nominated for a Tony award. When Bundy left the show in July 2008, and Legally Blonde’s immense popularity justified an MTV talent search to find a replacement. The winner, Bailey Hanks, had only been in the role for three months when the show fell foul of the recession, posting its notices only two weeks before its closure in October.

Prior to its closure, there had been talk of a London transfer. However, plans were shelved when the Broadway show closed, despite its still being one of America’s most popular shows. Now, the UK success of Broadway’s Spring Awakening and the popularity of a newly launched US touring production of Legally Blonde have given the green light to a West End production, and performances will now begin at the Savoy Theatre on 5 December 2009. Legally Blonde stars Sheridan Smith as Elle alongside Alex Gaumond and former Blue singer Duncan James.

Latecomers may not be admitted to a performance, and if admitted, may not be seated in the seats that have been originally allocated

Casting confirmed for Legally Blonde and Hairspray

Principal casting has been has been confirmed for the hotly anticipated London production of Legally Blonde. Comedy actress Sheridan Smith will take the lead as Elle Woods, the role made famous by Reese Witherspoon in the 2001 movie the show is based on. Sheridan is best known for her roles in TV shows such as Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps, The Royle Family, Grownups and Love Soup, her extensive theatre credits include musical and Shakespearean roles and she was nominated for an Olivier Award in 2007 for playing Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors.

Joining Sheridan is former Blue singer Duncan James, who will play Warner. Since Blue, Duncan has mainly been seen presenting, although he has also had some small TV acting roles, and made his West End debut in 2007 as Billy Flynn in Chicago. Performances of Legally Blonde will begin at the Savoy Theatre on 5 December and breaks are available here.

Meanwhile, Hairspray have announced their new principal casting. As hinted by West End Theatre Breaks, comedian Brian Conley will be taking over the role of Edna from Michael Ball. Brian said, “I’ve done a lot in my career, but wearing a dress and heels every night and being married to Nigel Planer weren’t things I was expecting to be doing all at the same time, and in front of thousands of people!”

Ben James Ellis and Leanne Jones will leave the show with Michael Ball, and the roles of Link and Tracy will be taken over by Wicked’s Liam Tamne and West End newcomer Chloe Hart. The new cast will join the show on Monday 27 July. Micahel Ball will be appearing alongside Ben and Leanne until July 25 and we have fantastic rates available in May. Breaks are available here.

Posted by Jack on Wednesday 29th April 2009 at 12:09PM

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