Blonde bombshell blows Longford audience away

Longford audiences were enraptured by one of the best productions St Mel's Musical Society staged in over 45 years of performance since the group's revival.

After five nights of enthralling audiences (along with a Saturday matinee), the cast and crew of St Mel's Musical Society's 2024 production 'Legally Blonde' put on their final performance on Saturday night.
Director Alan Greaney squeezed every drop of comedy out of the script thanks to a cast that really gets what the story of Elle Woods is all about.

It's not a complex story arc, the sorority girl enrols at Harvard Law School to win back her ex-boyfriend Warner, only to discover that self worth is more important than any idealised package of success.
En route she successfully defends exercise queen Brooke Wyndham in a murder trial, helps her new friend find love and comes to the realisation that beauty is more than just the way a person looks.

The success of Legally Blonde could rest on the shoulders of the principals, but the strength in depth of the cast meant the remarkable performances of leading lady Ashling Farrell and leading male Iarlaith O’Rourke were just part of the overall appeal of the show.
Some of the other principal performers in the show were Kevin Gormley (Warner Huntington III), Natasha Brady (Vivienne Kensington), and Paul Hennessy (Professor Callahan).

Grainne Fox (Paulette) and Niamh O’Brien (Brooke Wyndham) had everyone in the auditorium abuzz thanks to their dynamic delivery. Kyle the UPS Guy was deftly portrayed by Jim Maher (in very tight fitting shorts).
One of the stars of the show was the choreography. These were professional level routines, executed with extraordinary levels of skill and competence.

It would be impossible to overstate the contribution of Serena (Leia Victory), Margot (Aoibheann Macken), Pilar (Dearbhaile Madden), Kate (Niamh Dempsey), Enid Hoopes (Joanne Sexton) and Chutney Wyndham (Caoimhe Hennessy) to the overall success of the show.
A skipping routine exemplified the remarkable dedication and commitment of the troupe, it was one of the highlights of the night.

Appearing in cameo roles were Lyndsay Considine (Whitney), Sarah Hanley (Erin Schultz), Gerard Rafferty (Winthrop/Dewey), Andrew Reynolds (Pfortzheimer), Paul O’Brien (Elle’s dad), Sabina Ryan (Elle’s mum), Avril Brennan (DA Joyce Riley), Louise Walsh (Judge), Crystal O’Doherty (Kiki the Colourist) and Maria Dunne (Saleswoman).
A moment of great audience interaction came in a pivotal moment in the trial of Brooke Wyndham when Nicos (Jason Kenny) and Carlos (Conor White) illustrated the street smarts of Elle to rapturous applause.

In his second year as director Alan Greaney really delivered a marvellous show. The success of Legally Blonde largely hinges on the music and this was perfectly executed. The pit orchestra was of the highest calibre and Musical Director, Vince Tully, once again ensured that all the cast delivered superb performances.

As usual the visual style of the St Mel's Musical Society annual productions was innovative and imaginative. The set design by Eddie Kiernan is ingenious, particularly noteworthy was when the action moved to a trailer park and a bathroom! All in all Legally Blonde was a production that everyone involved should be very proud of.