Top of the Class: Legally Blonde the Musical JR.

May 1
2 min read

Legally Blonde JR at The Albany Theatre, Albany Road, Coventry CV5 7JQ, 7:30pm, Thursday 30 April 2026. One day only (matinee and evening show)

Review by David Court.

First published as a novel by Amanda Brown in 2001, Legally Blonde quickly found further life on screen before becoming a hugely successful stage musical in 2007, with music and lyrics by Laurence O’Keefe and Nell Benjamin. A classic fish-out-of-water comedy, it follows sorority president Elle Woods as she enrols at Harvard Law School in a bid to win back her ex-boyfriend—only to discover her own capabilities along the way.

Coming to this production without prior experience of either the film or the musical, I was nonetheless reassured by the strength of Coventry College Performing Arts previous outing, Fishville. As opposed to the stripped back nature of that show, Legally Blonde represents a far more ambitious undertaking - and the transition to the larger, more demanding stage of the Albany Theatre might have daunted a less assured company. Here, however, the cast rise to the challenge with confidence and flair.

Elle (Martha-Mae Brown) and the cast of Legally Blonde - Photograph from Coventry College Performing Arts

From the opening number, “Omigod You Guys,” the production establishes an infectious energy. It is performed with a sense of joyous abandon, setting a lively tone that carries throughout the evening. The staging is clean and efficient, with an elegant, minimalist set design that allows scenes to shift seamlessly without unnecessary distraction.

At the centre of the production is Martha-Mae Brown as Elle Woods, delivering a thoroughly engaging performance. She navigates the score’s demands with ease, moving convincingly between high-energy ensemble numbers and more introspective moments, all while maintaining a commanding stage presence through frequent costume changes.

If there is a shortcoming, it lies in the sound mix. At times, vocals were slightly obscured, particularly during ensemble pieces. This, however, is a technical issue rather than a reflection on the performers, whose talent remains evident throughout.

Brooke (Natallia Harimabdullah) and the cast of Legally Blonde - Photograph from Coventry College Performing Arts

A particular highlight comes from Shannon Browne as Paulette Bonafonté, Elle’s friend and confidante. Her performance is warm, charismatic, and sharply timed, culminating in a standout musical number that earns one of the evening’s strongest audience responses.

What ultimately elevates this production is the palpable sense of enjoyment shared by the cast. Their enthusiasm proves infectious, drawing the audience into the spirit of the show. It is a reminder of the unique pleasure of live theatre, especially in productions with such a limited run—this was, regrettably, a one-day engagement.

Paulette (Shannon Browne) and the cast of Legally Blonde - Photograph from Coventry College Performing Arts

Overall, this is an accomplished and thoroughly entertaining staging of Legally Blonde, and a testament to the skill and ambition of Coventry College’s performers and creative team. It also serves as a compelling introduction to the work itself—one that leaves me curious to revisit its cinematic origins, and eager to see what this talented company tackles next. It should be illegal to have this much fun at the theatre.

To keep updated on future performance from Coventry College, click here.