(Cayla Liebenberg plays
the lead role of Elle Woods)
Northcliff High from Johannesburg has been touring its annual musical
production to the Playhouse since 1999 when the musical Chicago was presented by the school. A tradition was established
with the return each year for the last 16 years, of what has now become an
eagerly-awaited theatrical event on the Durban social calendar.
Shows of ambitious scope have been tackled – Crazy For You, The Pirates of Penzance,
Hello Dolly, Anything Goes, Joseph, to name a few, and it is no mean feat
undertaking a project of such magnitude, particularly for a school.
The operation involves the transporting and accommodating of
the entire company of cast, crew, staff and musicians as well as transporting
all sets costumes and props along with theatre hire, publicity and marketing
and the set-up and rehearsal of the show in the elaborate Playhouse Drama.
This year it is the energetic, funny and youthful Legally Blonde – The Musical with a cast
of 28, a crew of 14, a band of 12 musicians and the various members of staff who
make up this touring group.
The show is based on the novel by Amanda Brown and
the MGM movie starring Reese Witherspoon. It involves a young blonde lady who
is jilted by her boyfriend as she is too much of a Marilyn (Monroe) and not
enough of a Jackie (Kennedy) and he has high aspirations of studying law and
going into politics. She follows him to law school, in true stalker fashion
but, once there, proves herself to be a better lawyer and also finds true love
in another. The music is up-to-date and edgy, fun and humour abound and there
are entertaining surprises that await the audience. “Legally amazing!” is how
local newspapers described the production with its initial run in Johannesburg.
Legally Blonde – The
Musical runs from July 1 to 5 at the Playhouse Drama. Booking is at
Computicket and ticket sales are already brisk and gaining momentum. Early
booking is advised - last year’s production of Grease was a complete sell-out.
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