Legally Blonde Review by Nina Jervis-Green

March 18, 2026

Thanks to Nina Jervis-Green from www.ninathewriter.com for this review.

As a musical, Legally Blonde radiates with optimism, precision… and pink. There is a lot of pink, though anyone who saw the 2001 film (or the show’s posters!) will no doubt be expecting that.

I’d seen in the press that Amber Davies, who was playing the lead role of Elle Woods, has been taken ill and won’t be performing for a while. But if you’ve got concerns about feeling short-changed by an understudy, don’t. Hannah Lowther was sensational, embodying Elle as naturally as breathing.

Elle herself is a blonde, popular, pink-loving sorority president whose boyfriend Warner (Jamie Chatterton) has just been accepted to Harvard Law School. She’s expecting him to propose, but he dumps her instead: he needs a ‘Jackie’ rather than a ‘Marilyn’ beside him as he goes forth and conquers the world.

Vowing to win Warner back, Elle studies hard and wins a place at Harvard herself, taking her partner-in-crime, Bruiser (superbly played by Sprout – yes, a real dog!) into a new world of intimidating legalese, looks-based snobbery, and “people who wear black even when nobody’s dead”.

She also makes two new besties: aspiring law associate Emmett (George Crawford) and beautician Paulette (a sparkling, standout performance from Karen Mavundukure… ohmigod you guys, that VOICE!). Soon, Elle’s dreams of winning Warner back are replaced by inner confidence and a genuine, glitter-encrusted aptitude for law.

Laurence O’Keefe and Nell Benjamin’s songs are effervescent and catchy; perfectly matched to the show and the story, and sung amazingly well by this ultra-talented cast (‘Bend and Snap’ is a fun highlight). The set, meanwhile, is a well-behaved riot of glitz and neon, interspersed with seamless transitions from sun-dappled Malibu to the solemn halls of Harvard and beyond.

If I had to criticise anything, it’s that this adaptation mutes the self-sought independence and razor-sharp insights that Reese Witherspoon’s Elle showed in the film. Here, the true focus is on her budding relationship with Emmett, who has a much more prominent role. He even coaxes Elle through one of the film’s standout ‘female empowerment’ moments: getting Paulette’s beloved dog, Rufus (played by the amiable, adorable Milo!) back from her deadbeat ex.

(“Why did Elle have to end up with any man? Couldn’t she just be a brilliant independent woman?” mused Sam, my friend and companion for the evening, as we walked away from the theatre. You have to admit, they’re good questions).

Regardless, this show’s consistent feelgood energy is infectious. The audience clapped and cheered heartily throughout, and there was a rousing standing ovation for Lowther during the curtain call. To sum up for the jury, if you’re in need of an addictively fun and upbeat evening out – and who isn’t right now? – Legally Blonde will do the job. Case closed!