Interview with Annabelle Terry, Legally Blonde The Musical

This year, Legally Blonde the Musical is taking the country by storm with a brand-new UK and Ireland tour. It’s hard not to be swept away by this musical, which tells the story of Elle Woods, a fashion-savvy sorority girl who enrols at Harvard Law School in pursuit of winning the heart of her ex-boyfriend. As she overcomes stereotypes, Elle teaches us that being ourselves never goes out of style! To build on this excitement, we are joined by Annabelle Terry, who stars in the production as Vivienne, to find out more.

What was it about this production of Legally Blonde the Musical which enticed you to audition last year?

Being from the area, I wanted to work at the Curve and with Nikolai Foster. So initially that was more of the pull towards the show because I knew whatever he put his hands to turns into gold. Legally Blonde is also such an iconic show, there’s real heart to the show but also there’s real lightness. It was just an amazing opportunity to work with an amazing team in an amazing building, which I have worked in before, but not on this scale. 

What was the audition process like and was Vivienne the role you always pursued?

In the back of my mind, I did think I would love to play Vivian, but I didn’t dare to dream initially because I know that she’s such a big role. I was in for different roles at my audition initially, before I was called back to read for Vivian, the rest is history. 

The character often starts off as an antagonist—how do you approach making her feel human and relatable rather than just “the villain”?

It’s interesting because I don’t think they’re villains, so I lead with that. Vivian leads with integrity, and she’s very genuine, even if it is incidentally very mean towards Elle. She’s still being authentic when she does it because she doesn’t yet see the error of her ways. In Act 1, I’m very much not rooting for Elle at all, but it’s coming from a genuine place of you know how you can possibly exist in this world where I have been told you have to be a certain way, and it's confusing and intimidating Vivian. And then the lovely thing about this track is then you get that moment of seeing the light and the error of your eyes, and being able to play that through the Legally Blonde Remix. It’s a gift really. I don’t really see it as being a villain. And even if it is, I don’t see it as a negative. I think it's only a positive.

I think we can all see a person like Vivian in our everyday lives who initially comes across quite mean, but essentially further down the line, we see a different side to that person..

Definitely. Nobody is perfect, and I think it’s the best thing someone can do is take accountability, see their mistakes and work on it. I do think Vivian does that. 

You are touring the production around the UK and Ireland. What are the challenges of doing a show in this way?

I think any show touring across the UK will tell you that each and every venue is different. They might be bigger or smaller and so we have to fit the show into the space, and we have to adapt as performers very quickly. I think it's about being able to adapt, we have to come in every week just knowing that no two spaces are the same and I think that’s a challenge. 

What’s your favourite moment or song to perform as Vivienne, and why does it stand out to you?

I think it has to be the Legally Blonde Remix. I know that seems like an obvious one for me, but it's so triumphant. It doesn’t matter how many times I do it, it catches me sometimes and I go, this is iconic. And also so uplifting, I just look at Elle and the words I get to say are so meaningful and evidently it’s a badass song. 

How do you build chemistry with the actors playing Elle and Warner, given the complex dynamics between the three characters in this musical? Especially with this production, which has two women, Amber Davies and Hannah Lowther, playing Elle. How do you take their approaches to the character to support you?

It’s such a gift to have different Elle’s because as an actor, I love responding in the moment to what I’m given. So it’s really nice to have different interpretations and both so fantastic. I think the key is maintaining the storyline at all times. So for me, I just try to be the most consistent Vivian I can be for both of them. So there’s not a Hannah version and an Amber version. It’s very much a Legally Blonde version and just staying true to that. It’s actually easier than I think it probably seems.

Have you found developing your take of Vivienne has changed your perspective on ambition, competition or female friendships? 

I tell you why it’s challenging, as I am not very similar to Vivian at all. I’m happy to say that I have got a very female, heavy family as well as my best friends and loads of amazing women in this job that I’m really close to. I think that’s why it’s easy for me to play her because it is such an act that I put on and fundamentally, we are actors, so stepping into her shoes is so much fun because it’s so far away from me. 

Why do you think everyone loves a musical like Legally Blonde and how does it relate to today’s audiences?

I think it's so relevant through its messaging which is genuinely not to judge a book by its cover like that. It’s a phrase we’ve known since the beginning of time but I think it has got real potency today because I do think we’re living in a world where people are scared to express themselves. People are scared to be their true identities and beliefs. I think Legally Blonde is a show that we need at the moment to say no, don’t be scared to do that. And if you are someone who judges people like that, maybe seeing this musical will make you realise you are probably the problem, not them. 

I think people are drawn to it because it is so iconic. The music is so good! People want to hear those iconic moments and if they’ve watched the film, they want to see a dog on stage, want to see all of her outfits. 

If you could play a different character for a day. Who would you choose and why?

Professor Callahan. I have thought that from the start. It’s probably because he is the male Vivian of the show, although far far worse, and he doesn’t redeem himself in any way. But I would like to give this character a go because I think it is the furthest thing from me you could possibly get. I’d love to give it a crack and sing Blood in the Water in a sharp suit. 

If you could give Vivienne one piece of advice at the start of the show, what would it be?

I think maybe the thought you’re having that you want to say, maybe just count to five and think before you speak girl, because she’s very impulsive and just says what she thinks at the beginning. 

Legally Blonde the Musical is touring the UK until January 2027.