The Lyric Theatre in Sydney

After its tremendous success in London, producers Howard Panter and John Frost have announced plans for a production of Legally Blonde the Musical to open at the Lyric Theatre in Sydney on 4 October, 2012.

Panter is the founder and creative director of Ambassador Theatre Group, the largest theatrical producing company in the UK. The company owns 10 West End venues, including the Savoy Theatre, where Legally Blonde has been running since its previews in 2009. He has previously produced successful Australian transfers of Guys and Dolls, The Rocky Horror Show, and West Side Story.

This will mark the third production in a row for Frost at Sydney’s Lyric Theatre, following runs of Annie and An Officer and a Gentleman. He has been credited with trying to solidify Sydney’s reputation as Australia’s premier city for theatre, a moniker Melbourne has also staked a claim to.  The Lyric Theatre previously hosted the world premiere of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, which has since enjoyed successful runs in the West End and on Broadway.

This will be the third major production of Legally Blonde in the English-speaking world. The musical premiered on Broadway in 2007, earning 7 Tony nominations, 10 Drama Desk nominations, and an Outer Critics’ Circle Award. The subsequent West End production proved even more popular, winning 3 Olivier Awards including Best New Musical and Best Actress in a Musical for its star, Sheridan Smith. Productions have opened in South Korea, France, the Netherlands, Finland, and the Philippines, making the musical an international sensation.

Casting for the Australian premiere in Sydney will be announced in February.

Other characters in the hit musical which was honoured with the Olivier Award for Best New Musical in early 2011 include Carley Stenson who will continue to play the lead role of ditzy blonde, Elle Woods, with Natalie Casey starring as beautician and friend to Elle, Paulette.

Legally Blonde the Musical has gone through several cast changes since it first opened in late 2009, a cast which has included Gavin and Stacey star, Sheridan Smith, pop band Blue’s Duncan James, actress and presenter Denise van Outen and current lead in Ghost the Musical, Richard Fleeshman. The new cast is set to freshen up the show and give a different take on the already hugely popular musical.

What do you think about the new cast changes? Do you think that the actors will be right for the roles? Did you have a particular favourite actor who performed in Legally Blonde in the past who you would like to see come back to the musical? Leave your thoughts and comments below!