Stephen Ashfield and Ben Freeman are to become the new men in Carley Stenson’s life when they take over the roles of Emmett and Warner in Legally Blonde The Musical from 10 October.
Ashfield, who replaces Lee Mead as Emmett, the law student who helps Stenson’s Elle Woods make her way at college, is no stranger to the West End stage, having originated the role of Bob Gaudio in the London production of Jersey Boys. His work also includes West End musicals Taboo and Fame.
Freeman, who plays Elle’s first love interest Warner, comes to Legally Blonde The Musical after appearing in Dreamboats And Petticoats during its time at the Savoy theatre. He is also well known for playing Scott in TV soap Emmerdale.
The pair joins a cast that currently includes original cast member Peter Davison as college professor Callahan and Natalie Casey as Elle’s beautician friend Paulette.
Legally Blonde The Musical, which opened at the Savoy theatre in January 2010, tells the tale of sorority girl Elle Woods who, when her boyfriend dumps her for someone more serious, puts down the credit cards, hits the books and heads to Harvard Law School.
The show won the 2011 Best New Musical Olivier Award, with original stars Sheridan Smith and Jill Halfpenny also picking up prizes.
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