What You Want Is St Hilda’s College’s Legally Blonde

Reviewed by: Lilah Shapiro

Edited by: Mya Helou

It was just one of those nights, where no-one (not even my most periphery down-for-a-good-time friends) was available to see a college production of Legally Blonde with me. So, there I was, by myself on a Saturday night, ready for three hours of whatever St Hilda’s college had in store for me. As the opening number – which is so catchy I’m still singing it in my head as I write – began, for no reason apparent to me tears began to quietly stream down my face – I truly did not know why.

Watching Legally Blonde reminded me of how different the world is from when I first watched the movie version, probably back in 2008 with my little sister. In many ways, it was as rapturous as I remembered: the feel-good, no, feel great feminist tale, the triumph of the underdog, and the healthy and relatable dose of internalized misogyny were as comforting as ever.

But I was also left with a much more grown-up feeling. When one of the corduroy dorks at the Harvard law party squeals with excitement, ‘The next president is probably in the room with us now!’ It was pretty clear that neither Obama nor Trump (although perhaps a Biden) was in Union Theatre with us that night. Since 2001, when the film premiered, there has been the MeToo movement, three [at time of publication, four] US elections, and a general rising distaste for the pro-preppy Ivy league sentiment the musical is
quietly steeped in. St Hilda’s version did not tackle any of this, but as conversations about privilege change, so will the way we watch Legally Blonde.

Getting serious in the St Hilda’s rehearsal room, with Alice Dagwell as Elle and Charlie Williams as Warner. PHOTO: Jessie Williams

I believe it was political scientist Robert Jervis who said discovery is a two way process. A clear inspiration for Legally Blonde. Just as Elle discovers girl-boss corporate law, law discovers Elle! This is nicely encapsulated when the stage is lit up purple (the perfect combination or corporate-law navy and Elle-Woods pink) as Elle (Alice Dagwell) and Emmett (Ciarán Noble) sing “Take it Like a Man” to each other.

A huge congratulations to the musical director Sonia Freiburg on an impressive debut, and special shoutout to the star of every orchestra, the xylophone. The massive amount of choreography (by Sam Caswell) was performed with total commitment and so much energy, and all of the costumes, whilst causal, were cohesive and super cute! A final congrats to the crew! Those were some truly seamless transitions.

The band, directed by Sonia Freiburg, didn’t skip a beat. PHOTO: Jessie Williams

Highlights included the crumping performance by the Harvard admissions team, exercise guru Brooke’s (Georgia Kemp) breathtaking solo performed entirely whilst skipping and holding a shoulder bridge for an entire scene, the Greek chorus inside Elle’s head, a tangential Irish gig, and of course the shameless (but
maybe not timeless) number “There! Right There!” aka “Is He Gay or European!?” – people will study this musical someday.

Kyle (Will Nourse) delivering in rehearsal. PHOTO: Annika Rasmussen

Paulette’s (Georgia Shell) solo was a standout, and of course a huge congratulations to Dagwell for her marathon performance. I especially liked that Dagwell played with moments of tenderness (‘But I am seriously in love with you!’) and humour, rather than playing off the character of Elle as a total caricature.

Elle’s Dad AND Dewey (Paulette’s piece of trash ex) AND Carlos (the courtside boyfriend of key witness, Harry Walker-Jones’ Niko the pool cleaner) were all played by Odi Evans, who equally stole the show, with each appearance better than the last. I think I know now why something bubbled up in me listening to the stage of young women exclaim in their Malibu-Aussie accents, ‘Oh MY GOD Oh My God YOU GUYS!’.

Oh my God you guys, it’s the cast of Legally Blonde! PHOTO: William Munday

College, amateur, and young person led theatre is a miraculous thing. With no time and less money, this group of students had created sets, sourced costumes, designed lighting, learnt lyrics, lines, music, and endless choreography – the joy that went into the creation of Legally Blonde was palpable on stage. Perhaps a few lines were a little indecipherable, but only because they were delivered with such
excitement – that collaborative momentum was a joy to watch.

Legally Blonde played August 29th – 31st 2024 at Union Theatre.

The Dialog is supported by Union House Theatre.