240-strong cast of Ursuline students stage noughties smash hit Legally Blonde

Grace Mahon (centre) as Elle Woods alongside the Delta Nu cheerleaders

placeholder image — Grace Mahon (centre) as Elle Woods alongside the Delta Nu cheerleaders

Fifth Year pupil Grace Mahon took on the iconic role of Elle Woods

Congratulations to all the cast and crew of this year’s Ursuline school musical, Legally Blonde. It was a hugely successful run of six shows which included two matinees and four nightly performances.

Released in October 2001, this noughties classic starring Reese Witherspoon in the central role was nothing short of a smash hit at the global box office.

Grace Mahon, Fifth Year, took on the iconic role of Elle Woods, a hopeless romantic who follows her ex-boyfriend to Harvard Law School with the intention of re-igniting their romance.

Here Elle finds that she can achieve the intellectual recognition she deserves in the lofty heights of criminal law while also staying true to her fun and fabulously fashionable pink self.

Elle is supported by a host of great, quirky characters including her Delta Nu crew of Margot, Serena and Pilar played by Isabelle O’Connor, Albha O’Connor, and Eimear Teehan respectively.

Katelyn Barry was Elle’s beautician and friend Paulette, a big personality who provides a shoulder to cry on as well as a pretty manicure.

Other stars of Ursuline’s Legally Blonde included the stern and slightly sleazy Professor Callahan played by Aoife Crosbie. Sixth Year student, Cáit Browne, a veteran of Ursuline Shows, took on the role of Elle’s ex-boyfriend Warner, who doesn’t fully appreciate what a catch she is until it’s too late.

Another doyen of the Ursuline stage, Maura Moran, also in Sixth Year, portrayed sweet law student Emmett who befriends Elle, mentors her and eventually becomes her new beau. Chloe Cahill and

Rachel O’Donnell gave impressive performances as Vivienne and Brooke.

Ms Erica Flanagan took on the role of Director, and successfully steered the cast of 240 students to put on a stellar production.

While Musical Director, Ms Joan Butler, got the very best vocally out of the leads and the chorus with joyous numbers such as ‘Omigod You Guys’, ‘So Much Better’, ‘Whipped into Shape’ and ‘Bend and Snap’.

Well done also to the other teachers in the Music Department who also taught songs and music to the cast and were actively involved in the staging of the show.

MD, Ms Joan Butler, who also coaches both Ursuline Chamber Choir and Senior Orchestra in the school, paid tribute to the students involved in Legally Blonde; “We are so proud of this immensely talented cast and chorus,” she said.

“Legally Blonde is one of the most challenging musicals any company can undertake, both technically and musically.

“Not only has this amazing student company met this challenge with enthusiasm and energy, they have completed the production in just five short weeks, from first rehearsal to opening night; a colossal achievement. They are truly outstanding.”

In her first UCT production, Cerys Loughnane took on the choreography this year and what a phenomenal job she did providing vivacity, vitality and lots of sass to the many dance numbers that are an essential part of this show.

Each year the whole school is behind the school musical and everyone is involved in its successful staging. From the Home Ec teachers in charge of costumes, to the admin staff who look after programmes, to the grounds men who are there every night on traffic duty and in the weeks beforehand getting the hall ready.

The school would particularly like to thank the Technology and Art Departments who get the stage ready, Ms Egan for her tireless work sourcing props, Ms Annette Flanagan on make-up, Mr Kirby on lights, Ms Stakelum and the Charities Committee who manned the shop, to the teachers who prepared hampers for the nightly raffles.

Principal Tríona Gleeson also commended the Sixth Year School Councillors who were MC’s, all the businesses who sponsored the musical this year, the sisters of the Ursuline Community for their continued support and prayers, Nóra Tuohy and Dan Kirby who are the backbone of all that happens in UCT and the backbone of their backbone, the good will of the teachers and other staff who supervise backstage and lend a hand wherever and whenever it is needed.

Congratulations to one and all on the spectacular 2025 production of Legally Blonde.