by Zoe Broom
Legally Blonde: The Musical arrived at Hull New Theatre on Tuesday evening, bringing with it plenty of laughs, fabulous singing and a healthy dose of girl power.
Starring Amber Davies as the unforgettable Elle Woods, this lively production of the much-loved story proved to be an uplifting evening of entertainment that was almost impossible not to smile through.
Based on the hit film, the musical follows fashion-loving sorority girl Elle Woods as she sets out to win back her boyfriend by securing a place at the prestigious Harvard Law School. But what begins as a mission to prove herself to someone else soon becomes a journey of self-discovery, determination and realising that there’s far more to Elle than her love of pink.
Taking on the iconic role of Elle Woods is Amber Davies, who has come a long way since winning ITV’s Love Island back in 2017.
Since then, the Welsh performer has carved out an impressive career in musical theatre, making her West End debut in 9 to 5 The Musical before going on to star in productions including Back to the Future, Pretty Woman and The Great Gatsby.
More recently, she reached the final of BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing in 2025, showcasing yet another side to her talents.
And those talents were certainly on display at Hull New Theatre. Amber was a delight as Elle, capturing her bubbly personality, humour and vulnerability while delivering some truly fabulous vocals. Her energy was infectious, and she made it impossible not to root for the pink-loving heroine.
The singing throughout was excellent, with the cast delivering the musical numbers with confidence and enthusiasm. The choreography was equally impressive, adding to the upbeat feel of a production that rarely slowed down.
One of the highlights of the evening had to be the famous Bend and Snap routine. Bursting with sass, humour and fabulous choreography, it was a real crowd-pleaser and, for me, the standout moment of the show. The energy, comic timing and sheer fun of the number perfectly captured everything that makes Legally Blonde a joy to watch.
There was plenty of humour along the way, with some funny moments that had the audience laughing. And, of course, a special mention must go to the show’s four-legged stars, Bruiser, Elle’s adorable chihuahua, and Rufus, the lovable bulldog belonging to Paulette. Both brought an extra helping of charm to the production and certainly won over the audience.
What makes Legally Blonde particularly enjoyable, however, is that beneath all the pink, comedy and catchy songs lies a genuinely uplifting message.
It’s a story about friendship, believing in yourself and refusing to let other people’s expectations define who you are. Elle may initially head to Harvard for all the wrong reasons, but she soon discovers her own worth and proves that intelligence, kindness and a love of fashion can happily go hand in hand.
The production feels fresh and fun, with its colourful staging, lively musical numbers and infectious energy making it a thoroughly enjoyable watch.
There is something rather lovely about a musical that doesn’t take itself too seriously but still manages to deliver such a positive message.
Funny, uplifting and full of fabulous performances, it is the sort of show that sends you home with a smile on your face.
And, to borrow Elle Woods’ own words, OMG!
