Verdict: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 (reviewed Friday 13 February 2026).
Tall & Short Theatre Company are committed to delivering bold, high-calibre theatre in the community setting. Legally Blonde The Musical staged at Engadine Community Centre is entertaining, wholesome and connected, leaving you smiling from ear to ear.
Director Benjamin May and Musical Director Helen Howe work with fabulous material written by Amanda Brown (novel), Heather Hach (book) and Laurence O’Keefe and Nell Benjamin (music and lyrics).
Taylah Earl is our protagonist, Elle Woods, (played by Reese Witherspoon in the movie). Elle is glamorous and beautiful, but even that can be limiting in a world where beauty seems to fast-tack success. Not necessarily, it turns out, especially if you’re a woman.
Harvard law student Warner Huntingon III (played by the always-shining Michael Astill) is no longer in love with Elle, her, telling her she is ‘nothing like Jackie, a bit too tacky’, not serious enough for his political career. Heartbroken, Elle decides her post-break-up is not so much a glow-up, but a grow-up, as she sets her sights on proving herself worthy by applying for the same degree at the same college, and in the journey, uncovers her own worth beyond the sniggering doubts of fellow students and teachers.
Elle sparkles into Harvard and into our hearts, spinning her spirals of shame into rich, emotional texture. Ella’s rivals include Warner’s new girlfriend, Vivienne Kensington (played by Brodie Fraser) and activist Enid Hoopes (played by Indianna Erikcson). While Elle faces contempt, snobbery and intellectual superiority from her fellow students, she knows deep in her heart that what is right and just is more important than any textbook lesson. Her unwavering integrity wins over her the cohort and the trust of her clients, developing a new found respect for her talent as a communicator.
The subplots and supporting cast add layers of narrative interest, including Elle’s new love interest, Emmett Forrest (played by Luke Derrick), her manicurist Paulette (played by Lucy Giles) and two real- life pups on stage that completely wins the audience over (animal handlers are Kelly Barker and Michael Astill).
There is movement, dynamic energy and a hilarious conundrum that only a musical could pull off (‘is he gay or just European’). The comedic-timing works perfectly here.
The set design (Benjamin May) has come a long way since the shows we last reviewed by Tall & Co (Grease, Chicago), allowing movement and set pieces to come alive and be fully seen and appreciated (no need to nip from side to side to see what’s going on). It’s a visually open set that made the performance extremely enjoyable, paired with beautiful lighting (Tomas Gerasimidis) and costumes (Jaila Ellem).
Front of House were lovely and enthusiastic on arrival, making everyone feel welcome.
Final mention goes to the great cause that this production supports, Share the Dignity:
Share the Dignity works to make a real, on-the-ground difference for women, girls and those who menustrate. To find out more, to go https://www.sharethedignity.org.au/
Legally Blonde The Musical, played at Engadine Community Centre from 13 – 15 February. For more about Tall & Theatre Co’s latest shows and productions, click here.
Image Credit:
Anthony Stone Photography