Manicures, Chihuahuas and the infamous ‘bend and snap’ – Legally Blonde is coming to Liverpool. The West End and Broadway sensation will be premiering its UK tour at Liverpool’s Empire Theatre this July.
Winner of Best New Musical in the Whatsonstage.com Awards 2011, nominated for five Olivier Awards and then going on to win Best New Musical, Best New Actress for Sheridan Smith and Best Supporting Role in a Musical for co-star Jill Halfpenny - Legally Blonde is THE theatrical event of Liverpool’s summer.
Liverpool’s Liz McClarnon is particularly excited about returning to her home town to take up the role of Paulette, the divorced manicurist who befriends the lead character, Elle, when times get tough.
Liz said: "I cannot wait to come home to Liverpool and The Empire. I did my work experience there as a kid, so being on stage there always feels so exciting every time! I know everyone there. I can't believe I'm going to be home for so long, it's like a dream come true to be in the show playing Paulette and at home too!”
Andrew Rawlinson, Empire Theatre General Manager, said: “With just four weeks to go until this high profile premiere, the excitement around the theatre is reaching fever pitch, and we’re working hard getting everything ready for the show’s arrival. We can’t wait to welcome Liz McClarnon and rest of the cast and crew to the Empire – it will be a summer to remember with the hottest show in town! ”
Based on the hit movie starring Reese Witherspoon, this critically acclaimed new musical is created by a top-of-their-class creative team, led by Tony Award-winning director and Olivier Award-nominated choreographer Jerry Mitchell (Hairspray).
The story follows homecoming queen Elle Woods, played by Faye Brooks, who doesn't take no for an answer. So when her boyfriend, Warner, dumps her for someone serious, Elle puts down the credit card, hits the books, and heads for Harvard Law School accompanied by her loveable Chihuahua, Bruiser.
The cast is led by Faye Brookes (Grease in the West End), Iwan Lewis (Fame in the West End, Passion at The Donmar Warehouse), Liz McClarnon* (former member of girl band Atomic Kitten, The War of the Worlds arena production), Neil Toon (Channel 4’s Hollyoaks, Les Misérables in the West End) and Dave Willetts (Les Misérables, Phantom of The Opera, Sunset Boulevard all in the West End).
