Full cast announced for revival of Legally Blonde at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre.

Full casting and the creative team have been revealed for the  revival of Legally Blonde will open the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre 2022 season which runs from 13 May to 2 July 2022.

Leading the show will be Courtney Bowman (Six, Everybody's Talking About Jamie) as Elle Woods with Michael Ahomka-Lindsay (Emmett), Lauren Drew (Brooke), Vanessa Fisher (Vivienne), Isaac Hesketh (Margot), Nadine Higgin (Paulette), Alžbeta Matyšáková (Enid), Eugene McCoy (Callahan), Grace Mouat (Pilar), Alistair Toovey (Warner), and Hannah Yun Chamberlain (Serena). They will be joined by  Gabriela Benedetti, Lucca Chadwick-Patel, Jasmin Colangelo, Allie Daniel, Joe Foster, Dominic Lamb, Esme Laudat, Liam McEvoy, Billy Nevers, Ashley Rowe, , Biancha Szynal and Paulo Teixeira (also Dance Captain).

 The smash hit Broadway and West End Musical based on the  movie follows beautiful and popular sorority sister Elle Woods who loves to be pampered and is passionate about pink. When she is dumped by her boyfriend Warner Huntington III for a more serious girlfriend she puts down the credit cards and picks up the books. Packing up her trusty pooch, Bruiser, she bags herself a place at the prestigious Harvard Law School to try and win him back. With the support of her new friends she learns that you can be both smart and fashionable.

The new revival  will be  directed by Lucy Moss (co-director and co-writer of Six), with a creative team featuring Cassiopeia Berkeley-Agyepong (dramaturg), Cat Beveridge (musical supervisor) and  Jean Chan (costume designer), Tony Gayle (sound designer), Phillip Gladwell (lighting designer) Laura Hopkins (set designer), and Katharine Woolley (musical director).

The piece has music and lyrics by Laurence O'Keefe and Nell Benjamin, book by Heather Hach, and is based on the novel by Amanda Brown and the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer motion picture of the same name.

Buy tickets for Legally Blonde.

 

Legally Blonde the Musical to be presented at Regent`s Park next May

Regent's Park Open Air Theatre has unveiled its 90th anniversary season for 2022 commencing  with a new revival of the hit musical Legally Blonde. The piece has music and lyrics by Laurence O'Keefe and Nell Benjamin, book by Heather Hach, and is based on the novel by Amanda Brown and the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer motion picture. It tells the story of Elle Woods, who overcomes social expectations in order to become a successful Harvard Law School graduate.

The new revival is playing from 13 May to 2 July 2022. It will be directed by Six co-creator Lucy Moss, with a creative team including Pippa Ailion CDG and Natalie Gallacher CDG (casting directors), Cat Beveridge (musical supervisor), Tony Gayle (sound designer) and Ellen Kane (choreographer).

With casting news to follow booking opens as follows_

Priority on-sale: Tuesday 16th November, 11.00am / Public on-sale: Tuesday 7th December, 11.00am.

Full cast for Leicester's Production of Legally Blonde

The Leicester Curve Production of Legally Blonde directed by Nikolai Foster opens on 14th April (previews from 11th April) and runs until 14th May.

The strong cast  includes Lucie Jones as Elle Woods, Ian Kelsey as Callahan, Tupele Dorgu as Paulette,  Jon Robyns as Emmett, Danny Mac as Warner, Natalie Hope as Brooke, Phoebe Street as Vivienne and Francesca Hoffman as Margot with  Jack Harrison-Cooper (Harrison), Cristina Hoey (Serena), Darren Bennett (Dad), Jamal Andreas (Sundeep Padamann), Natalie Woods (Enid), Rachel Stanley (Mum), Rebecca-Jayne Davies (Kate), Martin McCarthy (Carlos), Genesis Lynea (Pilar) and Lawrence Robb (Aaron). 

Lucie Jones has played Cosette in Les Misérables (West End and O2 Arena), Meatloaf in We Will Rock You (international tour) and The X Factor Arena Tour.

Ian Kelsey theatre credits include Danny in Grease (West End and tour), Same Next Year (Theatre Royal Windsor) and Kes (West Yorkshire Playhouse).

Tupele Dorgu / Educating Rita (Garrick Theatre), Chicago (UK tour); Mamma Mia! (Prince of Wales Theatre), Teechers (Wakefield Theatre), Noises Off (Liverpool Royal Court); Three Minute Heroes (Belgrade Theatre) and La Cage Aux Folles (English Theatre Frankfurt).

Danny Mac / Apollo Victoria 80th Birthday Gala Performance (West End), Fly With The Stars (West End), West End At Home (Mayflower Theatre, Southampton) and Gavroche in Les Misérables (West End and UK tour).

Jon Robyns / Enjolras in Les Misérables (WestEnd and UK tour), Spamalot (West End), Memphis (West End), Avenue Q (West End), Dessa Rose (Trafalgar Studios), Road Show (Menier Chocolate Factory), Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (West Yorkshire Playhouse), The Last Five Years (Greenwich Theatre), Rent (English Theatre Frankfurt) and Miss Saigon (UK tour)

Legally Blonde to Close Five Months Early

Legally Blonde the Musical was booking until 27th October at the Savoy Theatre, but is now due to close 5 months early on 7th April.

The production opened in December 2009 at the Savoy Theatre and went on to win seven major theatre awards including the Olivier Award for Best Musical. According to press material, “plans are in place for an Australian production to open in Sydney later this year”.

Legally Blonde the Tour is at UK theatres until 25th August with Ray Quinn and Les Dennis taking on leadng roles.

Stephen Ashfield and Ben Freeman joining Legally Blonde the Musical

There are a number of  cast changes taking place in Legally Blonde the Musical in October.

Two of the principal ones are that Stephen Ashfield (Jersey Boys)  is taking on the part of Emmett in the Legally Blonde the Musical at the Savoy Theatre.  He is due to take over the part from Lee Mead who leaves the show on 8th October.

Simon Thomas who is playing  Warner Huntington III is also leaving and will be replaced by Ben Freeman (Dreamboats & Petticoats)

More casting news to follow.

Ramin Karimloo joins Alex Gaumond in Concert

Following the success of his Lauderdale House concert appearance last year, Alex Gaumond who is currently playing the role of Emmett in Legally Blonde the Musical  will make his West End solo concert debut at the Leicester Square Theatre on Sunday May 22nd at 7.30pm.

It has just been announced that he will be joined by Ramin Karimloo from Love Never Dies.

Alex was nominated for Best Actor in a Musical at the 2011 Olivier Awards. He is due to leave Legally Blonde at the Savoy Theatre in June with Lee Mead taking over the role on the 20th.

Alex will be backed by a full band and cover songs that inspire him with some rock standards and beautiful love songs, making it different from the typical musical theatre set standards.

Tickets at: www.leicestersquaretheatre.com

Two Pints of Lager's Natalie Casey to take over from Denise Van Outen in Legally Blonde

After Denise Van Outen leaves Legally Blonde the Musical on 23rd April, Natalie Casey will take on the role of Paulette.

Natalie is probably best known starring opposite Sheridan Smith in the series Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps, but she has also appeared in Hollyoaks and her musical theatre credits include Fame at the Shaftesbury Theatre the tour of The Wedding Singer and most recently playing Ado Annie in Oklahoma! at the Chichester Festival Theatre.

Latest on Legally Blonde West End and Tour

Fresh from its victory winning the 2011 Olivier Award for Best New Musical, Legally Blonde the Musical has now extended its booking period at the Savoy Theatre in London’s West End to 31^st March 2012. 

The cast and full dates for the tour of Legally Blonde the Musical have still not been released, but it is starting at the Liverpool Empire on 8^th July with tickets on sale from 10:00 tomorrow.

Denise Van Outen and Alex Gaumond exit Legally Blonde at Easter

Denise Van Outen took over the role of Paulette Buonufonte from Jill Halfpenny in the West End production of Legally Blonde the Musical on 25th October last year on a six month contract which has flown by and is due to come to an end over the Easter weekend as her last performance in the show is Saturday 23rd April. 

Also leaving at the same time is Alex Gaumond who has been playing the part of Emmett since the show opened,

More news on their replacements to follow.

Legally Blonde the Musical going on Tour

The musical Legally Blonde is currently playing at the Savoy Theatre in London’s West End.  The producers are about to announce a twelve month tour which opens in Liverpool in July.  I believe the intention is to use the US touring set.

The intention is that the London production will continue (it is currently booking until 29th October).  There has recently been a cast change there with most of the contracts running until the middle of the year.

More news soon.

Cast Changes when Sheridan Smith leaves Legally Blonde

As previously mentioned, Susan McFadden takes on the role of Elle Woods when Sheridan Smith leaves Legally Blonde the Musical on 8th January.  You can already see her playing the part every Monday and Tuesday night.  Susan is currently contracted until 10th July 2011.

This leaves Susan’s role of Serena vacant from the 12th when Nicola Brazil (pictured) will be joining the cast.  Her musical theatre credits include Alice (David Essex’s All The Fun of The Fair Garrick Theatre), Amber (Hairspray at the Shaftesbury), Sandy (Grease at Piccadilly) and as an ensemble member in Wicked at the Victoria Apollo.  Nicola has most recently been playing Cinderella at the Waterside Theatre Aylesbury.

Aoife Mulholland was playing the part of Brooke but she is pregnant and left on 22nd December.

Other cast members from 10th January 2011 include: Stephane Anelli (Padamadan, Nikos), Emma Bateman (Stenographer), Nicola Brazil (Serena), Thomas Camilleri (Carlos), Chris Ellis-Stanton (Grandmaster Chad, Dewey, Kyle), Kimmy Edwards (Judge, Saleswoman), Ibinabo Jack (Pilar), Suzie McAdam (Enid), Sorelle Marsh (Courtney, Mom, Whitney), Sean Mulligan (Pforzheimer), Dawn Sievewright (Kate, Chutney), Lincoln Stone (Dad, Winthrop, Reporter), Robbie Towns (Aaron), Dominic Tribuzio (Kiki), Tamara Wall (District Attorney) and Stephen Webb (Lowell) as well as Jonathan Mawson, Jane McMurtrie, Lucy Miller, Ruthie Stephenson and Gregor Stewart as swings.

Susan McFadden taking over from Sheridan Smith in Legally Blonde

Susan McFadden is currently playing Elle Woods in Legally Blonde at the Savoy Theatre on Monday and Tuesday nights when Sheridan Smith does not perform. 

Susan has just announced that she will taking over the part permanently when Sheridan leaves on 8th January and play it from 10th January-10th July, 2011

Legally Blonde’s Alex Gaumond in Cabaret

Alex Gaumond is currently playing Emmett opposite Sheridan Smith in Legally Blonde at the Savoy Theatre.  You can see him in cabaret at Lauderdale House on Highgate Hill on Sunday 21st November from 16:30 to 18:30.

Alex joined Legally Blonde joined after playing Galileo in the 2009 UK tour of We Will Rock You. Other West End credits include Ray Sunshine in Desperately Seeking Susan, The Full Monty, Sunday In The Park With George and Tom Jenkins in Scrooge.

He is supported by Hayley Emma Otway who made her West End debut as Polly Baker in Crazy for You at the London Palladium. Earlier this year she performed as Liz in High Society (Upstairs at the Gatehouse) where she has been nominated for Best Performance 2010 in the Off West End Theatre Awards. This Christmas she’s playing Snow White at Chester.

Lauderdale House is behind the gates to Waterlow Park on Highgate Hill on the left hand side heading north from Archway tube, just past St Joseph’s Church on the corner of Dartmouth Park Hill.

It is near Highgate Village and a 10 minute walk from Archway Tube Station. The nearest tube is Archway (Northern Line) or buses 143, 210, 271, W5 (directly to the House – Waterlow Park stop), 4, 10, 17, 41, 43, 134, 263, C11 (to Archway Station), 4 and C11 in Magdala Ave.

Book tickets at: 020 8348 8716 or email enquiries@lauderdale.org.uk

Priscilla, Legally Blonde, Billy Elliott and Dirty Dancing all extend booking periods

The following West End musicals have just announced that they are extending their booking periods:

Legally Blonde has just undergone a cast change with Denise Van Outen, Carley Stenson. Siobhan Dillon and Simon Thomas joining the company.  It is now booking to 29th October, 2011.

Billy Elliot at the Victoria Palace has extended to 9th April, 2011

Dirty Dancing is now booking to 9th April 2011 and has just announced a UK tour which starts next September.  Ray Quinn is  not performing the part of Billy at the moment as he has a broken collar bone and is off until further notice.

Priscilla Queen of the Desert - The Musical has extended its booking period to 7th January 2012 at the Palace Theatre. The show currently features Ben Richards (Mitzi/Tick), Don Gallagher (Bernadette), Oliver Thornton (Felicia/Adam) and Ray Meagher (Alf from Home and Away) as (Bob).

Susan McFadden playing Elle in Legally Blonde on Mondays & Tuesdays

Susan McFadden is the alternate Elle Woods in Legally Blonde, playing the role on Monday and Tuesday nights at the Savoy Theatre when Sheridan Smith is not appearing due to filming commitments.

Susan’s theatre credits include: Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (UK Tour); Grease (Piccadilly Theatre); Cinderella (Theatre Royal, Wakefield); Jack and the Beanstalk, Cinderella (Gaiety Theatre, Dublin); Singin’ in the Rain, Annie (Olympia Theatre & Everyman Palace); Dance of Desire (Ambassador Theatre, US and Dublin Tour) and Brighton Beach Memoirs (Andrews Lane Theatre & Irish National Tour).

Richard Fleeshman leaves Legally Blonde this Saturday

Time is running out to catch Richard Fleeshman playing Warner Huntington III in the musical Legally Blonde at the Savoy Theatre in London's West End as his last performances are this Saturday 23rd October.

There are a number of new cast members joining the show on Monday 25th October including Denise Van Outen (Paulette): Simon Thomas (Warner): Siobhan Dillon (Vivienne): Carley Stenson (Margot).

Sheridan Smith has extended her contract and is currently playing Elle Woods until 8th January 2011,  but she will not be performing on Mondays or Tuesday from 23rd October due to other commitments.

Principals staying on in the show are Alex Gaumond (Emmett), Peter Davison (Professor Callahan), Susan McFadden (Serena) and Aoife Mulholland (Brooke).

Legally Blonde is currently booking to 20th February, 2011.

Sheridan Smith Soldiers On!

Sheridan Smith is currently appearing as Elle Woods in Legally Blonde at London's  Savoy Theatre.  She has been suffering for her art rather a lot lately recently with a back injury which is still recurring and a badly bruised shoulder which was sustained after she slipped and injured it during last night’s performance of the show. 

Trouper that she is Sheridan carried on cheered on by the crowd and thanked the audience  after the performance.  Later tweeting: Guys don’t know how the rumour started but I did not break my shoulder on stage! Just injured it. Thanku all for the concern, I’ll be fine x Was so touched by the brilliant audience tonight. They were so supportive when I hurt myself. Really cheered me on to the end. So grateful.

The new cast of Legally Blonde including Denise Van Outen (Paulette): Simon Thomas (Warner): Siobhan Dillon (Vivienne) and Carley Stenson (Margot) are currently in rehearsal to take over the roles on 25th October.

Legally Blonde's Richard Fleeshman in Midsomer Murders

Richard Fleeshman is starring as Warner Huntingdon III in Legally Blonde at the Savoy Theare until 25th October, and having just heard him on the Alan Titchmarsh Show he has nothing more planned until the New Year.

But you can see him at 8:00 pm this Wednesday on ITV's Midsomer Murders in an episode entitled Master Class playing a musician opposite John Nettles, Jason Hughes, James Fox, Lydia Wilson, and Frances Barber.

Denise Van Outen finds cocaine on Breast Cancer Charity trek

Denise Van Outen is joining the cast of Legally Blonde at the Savoy Theatre on 25th October but is currently on a 5 day trek of the Andes for charity Breast Cancer Care with other celebrities including Fearne Cotton and Alexandra Burke.

Van Outen is mum to baby Betsy and married to Lee Mead who is currently starring in Wicked. But she came across more than she bargained for while she was hiking in Peru stumbling across a large plastic bag containing loads of white powder hidden behind a cluster of rocks.  It turned out to be 1 ½ kilos of cocaine worth over £90,000.

She handed it straight over to security who passed it on to the local police. They believe it was probably dropped by drug smugglers attempting to cross the border.

Richard Fleeshman leaving Legally Blonde

Simon Thomas will replace Richard Fleeshman as Warner Huntington III in Legally Blonde at the Savoy Theatre in London's West End from 25th October, when Denise Van Outen, Siobhan Dillon and Carley Stenson also join Sheridan Smith in the cast of the hit musical.

Simon Thomas has just finished playing one of the Princes in Into The Woods (pictured) at the Open Air Theatre in Regent’s Park, along with Michael Xavier (who is due to open in Love Story the Musical at the Duchess Theatre at the end of November)

His previous credits include Cymbeline, Twelfth Night and HMS Pinafore at Regent’s Park: Marguerite (Theatre Royal Haymarket), Days Of Hope (King’s Head Theatre), Merry Wives of Windsor (RSC), Make Me A Song (New Players theatre) and he played the title role in Disney’s Tarzan in Hamburg.

His film and television credits include Damian in The Score, Russian Army conscript in Bigga Than Ben and How Music Works for Tiger Aspect productions.