NINE TO FIVE THE MUSICAL is a revenge story. Revenge stories can be played out for drama, think Farrah Fawcett Major’s in ‘Extremities’, or like this musical, for comedy.
Set in the late Seventies, a stage adaptation of the 1980’s hit movie, Franklin Har Jnr runs his company in a hard, strict, joyless, sexist way. The women aren’t even able to have family photos on their desk. One day three of Frank’s secretaries, Judy Bernley, Doralee Rhodes and their leader Valerie Newstead, decide that they have had enough of their boss, kidnap him and tie him up at Valerie’s home. Whilst Frank is out of action, the women take over the office, give it a makeover and make it a much more humane place.
For this production Dolly Parton bookends the show by appearing at the beginning to welcome the audience to the show, and at the end to tell the audience what the future held for its main characters.
The show, in earnest, started with a rousing rendition of the title song. Through the show the audience played an active part, cheering on the women as they stood up to Frank and carried out their ‘revolution’.
A lot has happened in society since the 1970’s. For one thing, typing pools no longer exist. And, of-course, there has been the MeToo movement with feminism rising exponentially.
One scene that really grated was the scene where Franklin Hart Jnr looks up one of the women’s skirts as she is standing on a ladder getting a file for him. It really doesn’t cut it in today’s climate. Why wasn’t the scene cut?!
Jeff Colhoun directs the production for maximum entertainment impact. There wasn’t a weak link in a strong cast. Marina Prior plays Violet Newstead, a smart and sassy woman who has worked all her life at Consolidated Industries. She has all it takes to run the company but there is one small issue … her boss! Casey Donovan is Judy Bernly, a newly separated, never worked before young woman who finds more than just a job at Consolidated Industries. Erin Clare plays Doralee Rhodes, a ‘don’t mess with me’ well-brought-up, bright and beautiful country gal. She may look like a push over but is anything but!
Caroline O’Connor is busy-body Roz Keith, the administration assistant who is fiercely – and unrequitedly – in love with her controlling boss, Franklin Hart Jnr, played by Eddie Perfect.
Completing the cast are Lily Baulderstone, Ana Maria Belo, Zoe Coppinger, Mia Dabkowski-Chandler, Ben Gillespie, Emma Hawthorne, James Haxby, Emma Johns, Jay Johns, Ethan Jones, Antonia Marr, Josh Mulheran, Tom New, Jake O’Brien, Matthew Prime, Jackson Reedman, Jordan Tomljenovic and Jessica Vellucci.
Dolly Parton’s score holds up well and the leads give renditions of the songs, backed by a good ensemble of dancers.
Costumes were striking. The set relies a lot on multi-media, computer generated effects.
Verdict. It is what it is. Good light entertainment, something that does not go amiss with what is happening in the world at large at the moment.
NINE TO FIVE THE MUSICAL with music and lyrics by Dolly Parton and book by Patricia Resnick, is playing the Capitol Theatre, Campbell Street, the Haymarket until the 8th May. Performance time Wednesdays to Saturdays at 7.30pm, EWednesdays at 1pm, Saturdays at 2pm and Sundays at 1pm and 6pm.
Featured image : Marina Prior and ensemble in 9 TO 5 Pic David Hooley