Craighead to give 'em Elle

Otago Daily Times

08-05-2025

Natalie Holland (centre), 16, will be taking on the role of Elle Woods in the musical Legally Blonde. PHOTOS: CONNOR HALEY
Harvard's beloved blonde is set to take Craighead's Turley Auditorium by glittery pink storm.
Craighead Diocesan School students will share the fabulously funny story of Elle Woods in staging Legally Blonde The Musical JR next week.
Director Lucy Bradley said she selected Legally Blonde as the musical as she wanted something upbeat and that would keep the girls engaged.
"I think for a lot of these girls, they haven't necessarily had that upbringing in musical theatre, especially not the classics.
"Doing something that was maybe a bit more relevant to them, and with Y2K being such a prominent fashion accessory at the moment to them, I thought it would be a really fun one that would get as many girls involved as possible.
"We've got a cast of 50 students from year 8 to 13."
She said a lot of the students were not aware of the musical or the film.
"A lot of them had not heard of it — [though] I think for the drama girls, in inverted commas, it was quite a well-known one. Quite a few said they thought they had seen it on TikTok.
Performing a choreographed number are Delta Nu members (from left) Katelyn Valentine, 14, Maddy Smith, 15, Mea Still, 15, Olivia McLachlan, 14, Elsie Evans, 15, and Emily Jones, 13.
"In terms of them understanding it, I think it's a really important one to do at a girls' school. Elle Woods is such an underestimated character due to her looks, due to her gender and the perceived notions of who she is.
"How she is able to break through that barrier and that stereotype is quite an important message to put out to our girls as well as the audience."
Mrs Bradley said the audience could expect a lot of energy and a lot of pink.
"There will be excellent vocals, excellent choreography and a very engaging storyline. Hopefully they'll leave with the morals, values and lessons the musical promotes."
Student Mea Still said she had enjoyed being a part of the production.
"It's been really fun getting to know lots of girls from other year groups, doing some really cool things and learning about what it's like to work as a team.
"I was never really into drama as such but I came to Craighead and did the last production and now I'm taking drama as a subject."
Student Emily Jones said there had been a lot of laughs and good times working on the show.
"I was so quick to put my hand up to audition because I knew it would be such a blast and ever since then I've absolutely loved it. Every time I saw a rehearsal on the schedule I'd be like, 'yay'.
"I've just loved working with teachers and people. It is going to be an amazing show to watch."
Performances will take place at 7pm on May 14, 15 and 16 — doors will open at 6.30pm.
Tickets can be purchased from the iticket website and are $20 for adults and $15 for seniors, students with ID and children 12 and under.
Door sales will be available.
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