Legally Blonde the musical (to 2 July 2022), is a fine choice for first production of the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre's 90^th season.

After the six months of winter 'darkness', it is so good to be back.

The evening was perfectly dry evening, following a day of torrential rain, and the buzz around the place for this sold-out performance was palpable.

It really brings home what a wonderfully special experience the Open Air Theatre offers theatregoers.

As the first production of the season, Legally Blonde arrives with a palpable wave of goodwill tinged with expectation.

We are all looking for a performance to lift the spirits and get the season up and running in style.

And my goodness, Legally Blonde does just that.

This is a new production of the 2007 musical that followed the original book by Amanda Brown and the 2001 film of the same name.

The plot, which is 'Hollywood musical' light, focuses on Elle Woods, a fashion merchandising graduate from UCLA (University of California, Los Angeles).

Elle manages to get into Harvard Law School, one of the world's most esteemed law schools, in order to be near and win back her college sweetheart Warner.

Warner has jettisoned poor Elle. In his eyes she does not fit the marital supporting role for the grand political ambitions that Harvard will access.

Do not be surprised that, while Elle is initially spurred on by Warner's spurning, her true inner self eventually shines through.

Elle comes to realise that maybe she has the character, skills and confidence to excel within Harvard's hallowed halls.

The test will come when she has defend exercise queen Brooke Wyndham in a murder trial.

The premise for Legally Blonde, as in many musicals of its genre, requires little real attention.

What it does provide is the vehicle needed to take the production through a series of high octane, hugely enjoyable, and genuinely funny set-piece, song and dance routines.

As with all Open Air Theatre productions, Legally Blonde is an ensemble piece that, to succeed, needs top order performances by the whole cast. And by golly they deliver.

There is also a tremendous band that gets a deserved positioning centre stage.

That said, one must highlight three standout performances in this production of Legally Blonde.

Nadine Higgin gives a memorable, and laugh out loud turn, as beautician Paulette and Lauren Drew delivers the show stopping routine when we first meet Brooke.

Finally, we have Courtney Bowman as Elle, who is on stage from almost start to finish.

She delivers one of those shimmering performances that so brightens up the Open Air Theatre as darkness closes in.

Legally Blond plays until 2 July 2022

Regent's Park Open Air Theatre's 90th Anniversary season also includes :

• 101 Dalmatians a newly commissioned musical (12 July to 28 August), and
• Antigone (3 to 24 September).

The theatre

The theatre, located on the Inner Circle of Regent's Park, was founded in 1932 and has remained one of London's unique theatrical attractions.

It is surrounded by woodland, which is invariably used to great effect as a stage backdrop.

The UK's largest permanent professional outdoor theatre stages a summer of drama, comedy and musicals.

The season is supplemented by one off evenings of comedy, musical concerts and screenings of film classics.

Despite having one of the largest audience auditoriums of any London theatre, the tiered seating and overall ambience gives the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre a special atmosphere.

Regular visitors invariably make the most of the setting by arriving early to dine or picnic before the performance.

Despite it being in the outdoors, and following customer feedback, the theatre and theatre grounds are completely no smoking.

Useful links

​ www.openairtheatre.com