LEGALLY BLONDE Australian Tour to End Run Today

After 272 performances and nearly 10 months of dazzling audiences around the country, Australia's brightest hit musical comes to an end tonight, Sunday July 14. Legally Blonde began at the Sydney Lyric on September 21 last year, followed by seasons at the Lyric Theatre, Brisbane from March 12, 2013 and at Melbourne's Princess Theatre from May 9.

Audiences and critics alike have praised the production. Sydney's Daily Telegraph claimed, "Oh my God you guys, Legally Blonde is fantastic - and it's exactly what Sydney needs right now... Prepare to have stitches in your stomach and sore cheeks from smiling, because Legally Blonde is one show you can see over and over." The Australian praised the "terrific cast", the Sun Herald said it is "a cupful of joy", while the Sunday Telegraph claimed the show is "sending itself up with such affection and charm that it is altogether too much fun."

Brisbane's Courier Mail said, "What is surprising is how easy it is to love Legally Blonde The Musical and just how much heart there is trapped inside what initially appears to be a thin story... What gives the musical The Edge over the movie is the combination of a magnificent score with plenty of show-stopping numbers, Jerry Mitchell's brilliant staging, and fantastic performances from the cast."

Melbourne's Herald Sun praised the production saying, "On a scale of 1 to 10 for perkiness, Legally Blonde is an 11 and Lucy Durack, as Elle Woods, hits a 12. Durack is perfect," while The Age said, "The music is an insatiably bubbly parody of everything from varsity chants to boy bands; the lyrics are fun too ... Extensive choreography and excellent chorus work mean there's never a dull moment."

Australian audiences have fallen in love with this production with 96% of Sydney audiences saying the show was very good and 98% of Brisbane audiences recommending to a friend. Crowds of up to 200 fans flock to the stage door after every show to meet their favourite performers, and Sydney critics voted Lucy Durack as Best Actress in a Musical at the 2012 Sydney Theatre Awards.

Legally Blonde has helped to contribute to the local economies in the cities it has played around Australia with over 35% of Sydney audiences and 30% of Melbourne audiences coming from interstate and international territories.

Producers Howard Panter and John Frost praised the hard work of their dedicated team. "We are so proud of this extraordinary and flawless cast and crew, who have been performing for nearly ten months in this magical romantic comedy. The Australian production is second to none in the world, and we've all had a joyous time. Anyone who hasn't seen Legally Blonde only has three weeks to come along to the Princess Theatre for a night of all singing, all dancing excitement!"

Howard Panter added, "It is great that Australian audiences embraced the quality and sheer fun of this worldwide hit and Olivier Award winning Best New Musical."

To post a comment, you must register and login.