THERE are worthy musicals; grand stories of the American dream.

Then there are wordy musicals; Sondheim classics that spit lyrics so quick it turns your stomach.

But every so often there are musicals that are simple, unadulterated joy.

Start-to-finish, Legally Blonde is one of these.

Based on the hit film of the same name, it follows blonde Malibu bombshell Elle Woods, as she follows her heart – and ex-boyfriend – to Harvard Law School.

Elle is a reluctant student, initially more interested in her beloved chihuahua Bruiser than battling with her law books.

She only has eyes for Warner, the handsome boyfriend determined to follow his parents’ dream of a Senate seat for their chiselled son.

But Elle is left in a funk when Warner dumps her in favour of “serious” Vivienne.

It’s in Harvard’s hallowed halls that Elle, over the course of two acts and a dozen songs, discovers a talent for law, acquires a geeky new boyfriend and finds that it’s always better to stay true to yourself.

With a powerful female lead, a classic love story and high camp, Legally Blonde was always going to make a brilliant musical.

The songs, by Laurence O’Keefe and Nell Benjamin, jerk between reassuringly flamboyant and up-to-date contemporary.

Aside from the occasional first night nerves, this young SALOS cast handled them well on a crowded opening night.

Legally Blonde is the society’s 68th musical since they first trod the boards for 1952’s performance of The Arcadians.

With a cast of 33, a chihuahua and a one-year-old English bulldog, this could be one of their most ambitious efforts yet.

Despite some microphone grumbles and slight musical tumbles in the final numbers, this performance found its way to the audience’s heart.

Frankie Le-Bon charms as blonde Elle. Love interest James Everley has the powerful lungs and rounded vowels of a likely former chorister. Meanwhile, love rival Christopher King smoulders with boyband charm as romance rat Warner.

But the standout star is Jill Carter McCrae, playing Elle’s sassy confidant and hairdresser Paulette Bonafonte. A fire service boss, Jill set the stage alight with the punchy vocals and experience that helped reassure a youthful cast.

Legally Blonde is at the Wyvern Theatre until Sunday, October 22. For tickets, visit: www.swindontheatres.co.uk or call 01793 524481.