Sheffield: Has your dog got the star quality to join the cast of Legally Blonde?

Abi Weigold, who stars as Elle Woods in STOS' Legally Blonde - The Musical, with a four-legged friend hoping to be in the show. Picture: Mark Feakins

Based on the hit 2001 movie starring Reese Witherspoon and the winner of seven major theatre awards – including Best Musical at the 2011 Oliviers – it’s the light hearted story of sorority president Elle Woods as she leaves home to find love at Harvard Law School.

But as any fans of both movie and stage version will tell you, one of the true stars of the show is Bruiser Woods – Elle’s pet chihuahua and constant companion.

And in a show with such a great pedigree, there’s also a guest starring canine role for Rufus, a bulldog at the centre of a lovers’ tiff and legal quarrel.

Now STOS are looking for a pair of chihuahuas and bulldogs to share performances as they join their human co-stars on stage at the Lyceum from November 17 to 21.

And to help create a team of four legged superstars, an open audition will be held at the Doggy Den on Little London Road in Sheffield, on Sunday, September 6 from 11am to 1pm.

“We are looking for dogs who can be accompanied by their owners at both rehearsals and at the theatre,” said Joanne Ringrose, STOS production manager.

“The dogs need to be calm, friendly and not nervy – they will generally be on a lead or carried on and off stage.

“But a bonus would be their ability to sit on command and walk on their own.

“They also need to be happy being picked up and must be comfortable with crowds, lights and noise – both from the band and from the audience.

“And as anybody who has seen Legally Blonde will know, our Bruiser will also need to be willing to wear a costume and be comfortable sitting in a doggy handbag.”

The dogs who win the parts – and their owners – will be needed for a number of rehearsals and the full week of the show, all details of which are available on the STOS website at www.stos.org.uk

In true doggy diva style, the canine stars will also have to stay at the theatre all the way through to the final curtain at every performance so they can take a bow with the rest of the cast.

To find out more about the show and to register interest in attending the auditions, visit the website for details.