Saturday 3rd August 2013 - matinee
At the end of 9-5 The Musical, Dolly Parton addresses the audience via a
prerecorded video message and encourages those who have enjoyed the show to
spread the word and tell everyone they know.
I feel a particular sense of duty to do this as, knowing nothing about
the musical or the 1980 film on which it is based & seeing Dolly’s image
all over the publicity material, I assumed it was a 'jukebox' musical of the [insert
song here] variety, complete with a character called Jolene and all of Parton’s
biggest hits.
I have never been happier to be so completely and utterly wrong.
Although some of the musical numbers have
been previously recorded by Parton they are perfectly chosen to further the
plot or add depth to the characters, as all good musical theatre scores should.
The book is by Patricia Resnick, who also
wrote the film, and she ensures that every line or idea introduced in Act One
pays off by the end and peppers the script with topical references and in-jokes
that can only be made by looking back on the period with hindsight. The musical
is set in 1979, in a world where personal assistants are still secretaries and
the idea of a female CEO seems alien to the entirely male management. That is
until three employees take on their 'sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical
bigot' of a boss.
I’ve previously enjoyed Jackie Clune and
Natalie Casey’s performances in plays ‘Mogadishu’
and ‘Abigails Party’ respectively but
it is clear that they are equally at home in musicals.
Jackie Clune plays Violet Newstead, a
single mother and loyal employee hoping for a promotion and is a likeable
leading lady with a rich singing voice. Natalie Casey as newly divorced Judy
Bernly gets a lot of laughs with her comic timing and delivery but also convincingly
portrays Judy's building confidence throughout the show culminating in one of
the standout moments, a powerful rendition of
'Get Out and Stay Out'. Additionally,
I saw and loved Amy Lennox in musical ‘Soho
Cinders’ and as 'Backwards Barbie' Doralee Rhodes she is utterly charming.
She has a beautiful voice to match her witty and charismatic portrayal and is a
performer that has already made such an impression with me that I will look
forward to seeing her in future roles during what I'm sure will be a long and
successful career.
As sleazy boss Franklin Hart Jr, Ben
Richards seems to be having great fun and his dance sequence with Anita Louise
Combe’s Roz is one of the highlights of the first Act. There is a large
ensemble ensuring the stage looks full, they interact with the set smoothly to cover scene changes and they
perform inventively choreographed routines with boundless energy.
9-5 The Musical is infectious
good fun with lively dance numbers and strong performances and I found it more
enjoyable than a great deal of other shows currently touring the UK and in the
West End. I actually saw the show in its first run at Manchester Opera House
last year and was more than happy to make a second trip. I’m pleased to see that it has only improved
since its first outing. ‘9-5 The Musical’ may not change your life but it will certainly
keep you entertained and ensure you leave with a smile on your face; sometimes that is all I want after a
week of working 9-5!
See http://www.9to5themusical.co.uk/ for remaining tour dates.
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