Nottingham Theatre Royal – until Saturday 23 May 2026
Reviewed by Amy V Gathercole
4****
“It’s bright, it’s bold, and it’s bursting with heart, but beneath the glitter lies a story about resilience, identity and the power of believing in yourself!”
Legally Blonde remains one of the most infectious musicals around, having seen it several times on different tours, tonight’s performance at Nottingham Theatre Royal was easily the most sharp and energetically charged version yet.
Amber Davies brings something genuinely fresh to lovable Elle, perhaps from the choreography perspective and her enviable dance talent, perhaps from her sheer drive, but whatever the source, her performance blended sparkle with surprising emotional weight. She handled the more serious beats of the story, with confidence and nuance too.
The story of a queen-bee sorority girl whose dreams don’t all come true when her long-term beau Warner (Jamie Chatterton) changes her life, by dumping her for his own academic ambitions. This inspires Elle to follow him to Harvard Law School, after making a lot of social sacrifices, only to find he’s moved on with a ‘Jackie ( aka Vivienne played by Annabelle Terry), and not a Marilyn’. Along the way she’s tested, by unwelcoming fellow students, by real law cases and clients and by law professors who just don’t believe in her, with her adorable dog Bruiser in tow.
Legally Blonde is full of fun but beautifully written supporting characters, and it’s their warmth, humour and unexpected depth that help Elle discover who she really is far beyond the man she thought she needed. So it’s time for our heroine to tackle new challenges, make new friends and learn how life outside of Malibu really works.
Fellow sorority sisters, Margot (Hannah Lowther) brings bright, bubbly energy to every scene and sets the tone for the Delta Nu spirit. Serena (Rosanna Harris), adds sharp humour and confident charm, lifting the ensemble numbers with ease and Pilar (Remi Ferdinand), rounds out the trio with bold vocals and infectious enthusiasm.
It’s almost unbelievable that Legally Blonde and the infamous Elle Woods are now 25 years old. I remember it so well, when I was a law student here in Nottingham. The film was always a familiar comfort blanket, a burst of optimism wrapped in bubblegum pink and the stage show is full of many memorable lines from the film.
Reese Witherspoon’s iconic performance made Elle a cultural touchstone and with the upcoming Elle TV series arriving on Amazon soon, this revival couldn’t feel more timely. It’s a reminder of how deeply this story has embedded itself into popular culture and why audiences across the UK are flocking to see it again. It’s also one of the most faithful screen to stage adaptations that’s been made, this new revival has changed the setting and updated the culture for a Gen-Z audience and it works really well.
Amber’s harmonies with law associate, Emmett (George Crawford) were impressive. Their vocal blend created moments that were not only musically tight but emotionally electric. The chemistry between them radiated through the auditorium, making their duets some of the evening’s standout highlights.
This new UK tour embraces that legacy with bright colours, bold staging and a playful aesthetic from set designer Colin Richmond, that keeps the show moving at pace. The stripped‑back set allows for quick transitions between key locations like; the salon, Harvard Law and Delta Nu, keeping the focus firmly on the cast and the story.
Costumes designed by Tom Rogers burst with personality and nostalgia, the overall visual world is vibrant without ever feeling overwhelming and full of colour and obviously features a lot of pink!
The production benefits enormously from the vision of director Nikolai Foster, whose approach balances high‑octane fun with a surprisingly grounded emotional core. His direction ensures the heart of Legally Blonde never gets lost beneath the glitter. Choreographer Leah Hill injects the show with relentless energy, giving the ensemble plenty of opportunities to shine and elevating numbers like “Whipped Into Shape” and “Positive” into memorable showstoppers.
One of the standout performances of the night came from Elle’s new confidant, Paulette ( Karen Mavundukure). She delivered absolute comedy and hilarity, but also a touching sense of longing that blossomed into a celebration of womanhood and self‑belief. Watching her transformation was genuinely uplifting. Vocally, she was one of the strongest performers in the entire show, commanding the stage with warmth, wit and her powerhouse vocals.
This fun revival of Legally Blonde proves why the show continues to resonate with audiences of all ages. It’s bright, it’s bold, and it’s bursting with heart, but beneath the glitter lies a story about resilience, identity and the power of believing in yourself!
With standout performances from Amber Davies, George Crawford and the unforgettable Karen Mavundukure, supported by the sharp direction of Nikolai Foster and the vibrant work of the entire creative team, this tour delivers a production that feels both joyously familiar and refreshingly new.
Legally Blonde is a celebration of sisterhood, ambition and unapologetic pink‑powered confidence and it left the audience buzzing long after the final bows, as people in the audience no doubt left singing along on their way home.
Tickets are available from TRCH ( https://www.trch.co.uk/whats-on/legally-blonde-zwy4 ) for Nottingham and https://legallyblondeshow.com/tour-information for the rest of the UK tour.