๐๐ฎ๐ ๐ฏ๐น๐ถ๐บ๐ฒ๐! ๐๐บ๐บ๐ฒ๐ป๐๐ฒ ๐๐ฎ๐น๐ฒ๐ป๐ ๐ผ๐ป ๐๐ต๐ผ๐ ๐ถ๐ป ๐๐ฒ๐ด๐ฎ๐น๐น๐ ๐๐น๐ผ๐ป๐ฑ๐ฒ
Jewish Telegraph, November 2026
Mike Cohen finds that law can be fun as Legally Blonde arrives at Manchesterโs Opera House
The Legally Blonde tour began at the start of the year, but, as the saying goes, โgood things come to those who waitโ.
And for Manchester audiences, it has certainly been worth the wait.
Legally Blonde is the perfect show after a long day at work. You can just switch off your brain and let the fun wash over you.
It starts with fashion-obsessed Elle Woods, played by Amber Davies, being dumped by her Harvard-bound boyfriend Warner, who wants a serious girlfriend to help him further his political ambitions.
But Elle isnโt one for just moving on and decides to follow him to Harvard and win him back โ but obviously things donโt go to plan.
Despite being based on the 2001 film of the same name, the same issues are still present today โ women being judged on how they dress and look, and male bosses who try to coerce young women into doing things they donโt want to do with the threat of being fired.
The story is pretty predictable, but itโs a lot of fun getting to the outcome.
And the music is very memorable. It opens strongly with Omigod You Guys featuring the vocal talents of Elleโs best friends Margot (Hannah Lowther), Serena (Rosanna Harris) and Pilar (Remi Ferdinand).
My favourite song was There! Right There! (Gay or European?) which brought the most laughs from the packed Opera House.
The vocal talent on show is insane. Starting with Amber. Most people know her from Strictly Come Dancing, although I last saw her in The Great Gatsby.
As her career in musical theatre progresses, her appearance on Love Island fades into the sunset.
Amber has everything, including a tremendous stage presence. She is mesmerising to watch as Elle.
Hannah, Rosanna and Pilar are also immense. When Elle goes to Harvard, the trio donโt get as much stage time as, obviously, they donโt follow her there.
But they do get their moments in the spotlight acting as a Greek chorus, visible only to Elle.
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Hannah, in particular, is an inspiration to anyone trying to break into musical theatre.
She had appeared in a number of productions as a child actor, but then spent a few years in the wilderness.
Instead of resting on her laurels, she built up a huge social media following making videos of herself performing while working at Tesco.
And eventually she landed a role in Heathers: The Musical โ and ended up playing all three Heathers at various points.
She also launched her own podcast, How Very Hannah, took it out on a mini-tour, and had a quiz book published.
She is also the alternate Elle. Itโs only a matter of time before she is leading a show.
And itโs good to see Jewish representation on stage in the shape of Rosanna. She is also destined for the top with a great voice.
Remi, who completes the trio, is new to me, but she will definitely have a long career in musical theatre.
Itโs such a big company, so itโs impossible to mention everyone, but the whole cast is top drawer.
I have to, though, make mention of the covers.
Iโve always been amazed by swings and alternates. I would struggle to learn one characterโs lines, but SWALTS have to learn a number of different characters and then perform them seamlessly.
So special credit to Aaron Shales, who I last saw in &Juliet. He covered the role of Enid so perfectly that youโd think he was the regular.
On-stage swing Lauren Hampton had to take on three roles, but it seemed effortless for her. She was recognised for her talent this week when she won the West End Wilma Award for best swing. The production also won the best touring show.
And itโs impossible not to mention the two biggest stars of Legally Blonde โ Bruiser Woods and Rufus.
For those who donโt know, they are two dogs, played by Sprout and Rocco, respectively, who make regular appearances throughout โ always accompanied by a loud โawwwโ from the auditorium.
As a 59-year-old man, I donโt think I am the target audience for Legally Blonde, but there is plenty to enjoy for people of all ages.
And us Mancunians get it for two weeks, until November 14, before it moves on to Stoke on November 17.
It will then have a stint at the London Coliseum from March 22 to May 22.
