Every aspect of Legally Blonde is silly, but this is rarely an issue.

We begin with the plot itself. In an attempt to rekindle her waning romance, Elle Woods decides to follow her man and prove she is more than just a dizzy blonde.
So she happens to get clever, and she happens to get into Harvard Law School (with the assistance of a pink marching band) and she happens to be top of her class. Sound plausible yet? It doesn't matter. After ten minutes your willing suspension of disbelief has truly taken over and the cast, drenched in dazzle, take you by the hand and woo you with a few catchy tunes and some sassy moves.
The effervescent personality of Woods retains its fizz with an impressive performance from Faye Brookes. A clear insight into the character meant Brookes was not afraid to fully indulge in the show's ridiculousness. Her struts and strides were infectious and she ensured the songs resonated far beyond their stage time.
After you have waded through all the OMGs and toddling chihuahuas, there is a character who is entirely sweet and our affection towards her is constant throughout. To deem Woods as the epitome of feminism would be a (humongous) stretch but she has an inspirational side, albeit taken with a pinch of salt.
But there was something missing as the production lacked an overall chemistry. Jokes that should have filled the room with an easy laughter were pushed out and fell with a lacklustre bump. Wasting such good material was frustrating to watch, and it became irritating to know you should be laughing when you weren't.
However, to accuse the show of being completely devoid of comedy would be neglecting Liz McClarnon's performance. It was a surprise to see a flashback from my younger pop-loving days as this ex-Atomic Kitten took on the role of Paulette Buonufonté, a slightly gobby but ultimately insecure salon owner. McClarnon gives a sincerity to proceedings with her gawky, modest demeanour and balances the manic giddiness of Woods perfectly.
Excitement radiates at every opportunity, something the film was unable to achieve quite as successfully. This is partly down to the music, a disco infused bombardment of fun and ambition which means that Legally Blonde is clearly doing something right. This UK tour is a result of its continued success in the West End and, despite some initial snobby preconceptions, it is impossible not be be charmed by the show's rampant search for joy.

Three stars