Photos: Smith & Cast Launch West End LegallyDate: 30 September 2009
A press launch was held at London's Cafe de Paris this afternoon (30 September 2009) for the forthcoming West End premiere of screen-to-stage musical Legally Blonde, which begins previews at the Savoy Theatre on 5 December 2009 (gala opening 13 January 2010).
Legally Blonde, described today by producer Sonia Friedman as “a show full of heart, and full of fun, energy and colour”, transfers from Broadway, where it premiered in April 2007.
The West End incarnation stars Sheridan Smith as Elle Woods (the part immortalised in the 2001 Hollywood film by Reese Witherspoon), the beautiful sorority girl who follows her ex-boyfriend to Harvard Law School in an attempt to win him back.
Smith, along with members of the cast including Jill Halfpenny (Paulette), Susan McFadden (Serena), Aoife Mulholland (Brooke), Peter Davison (Callahan) and the all-important Chihuahua, performed several numbers from the show, including “Omigod You Guys”, “So Much Better”, “Bend and Snap”, UPS Guy”, “Whipped Into Shape” and the title song.
TO SCROLL THROUGH ALL OF LEGALLY BLONDE's LAUNCH PARTY PHOTOS,
JUST CLICK ON THE "NEXT >" LINKS BELOW THE FOLLOWING FRAME.
PHOTOS BY DAN WOOLLER FOR WHATSONSTAGE.COM.
Speaking to Whatsonstage.com at the event, Sheridan Smith said: “I was over the moon to land the role of Elle - I was listening to the CD constantly in the days leading up to the audition. Legally Blonde is total escapism. With the world the way it is right now, you don’t want to see something that gets too bogged down ... The show is just fun; the first 20 minutes especially will keep you pinned to your seat. Also, it’s a lovely story that's got everything - pathos, humour, and a really nice meaning.”
Smith is joined in the cast by Duncan James (who was absent from today's launch due to filming commitments), Aoife Mulholland, Susan McFadden, Jill Halfpenny and Peter Davison (See News, 10 September 2009).
Former Doctor Who Davison, whose West End credits include Spamalot and Chicago, said today: “It's a new show for London with an enormously talented cast, most of whom I get to be extremely nasty to. I also get to kiss Sheridan Smith and then get slapped for it, which on balance I think is a pretty good deal.”
Legally Blonde is directed and choreographed by Jerry Mitchell, who made a brief appearance via video link at today's event. It has a book by Heather Hach and music and lyrics by Nell Benjamin and Laurence O'Keefe.
** DON’T MISS our Whatsonstage.com Outing to LEGALLY BLONDE on 6 January 2009 – inc a FREE drink, FREE promo CD & access to our exclusive post-show Q&A - all for only £34.50!! - click here for details **
- by Theo Bosanquet
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