9 to 5 the musical
Connaught Theatre Worthing
until 29th August
If ever there was an appropriate time to go to see 9 to 5 The Musical is it now after the sad news this week of Dolly Parton’s passing. Dolly, of course, starred in the original film and also wrote the songs and music for this stage musical version.
This is not a jukebox musical featuring Dolly’s greatest hits (9 to 5 is the only well-known song in it) but the story of three female office colleagues in the 1980’s who work for a stereotypical male misogynist, sexist boss who does little of the work, takes all the credit for the corporation’s success and is a sex pest to boot. You must remember that the original film opened 46 years ago and this type of character was very much the norm in the workplace in those days. The three women decide they have had enough of their boss’s behaviour and resolve to take matters into their own hands and improve not only their working lives but also that of all the other women who work alongside them.
Some of the comments and humour espoused by Hart (the boss) was acceptable back in the day but would not be allowed or tolerated today and fell flat on the audience that I saw the show with. There were audible gaps around me at some of these offending remarks. I wonder why some judicious editing hasn’t taken place and Hart’s attitude towards women isn’t shown in a different way more acceptable to today’s audiences.
Jade Marvin, Karla Tracey and Kayla Carter star as the three women who determine to make a better working environment for themselves, and they are all very good in their roles. Kayla Carter as Judy impresses the most with her ballad Get Out and Stay Out as she resolves to put an end to an unhappy relationship and go forward without a man in her life and Jade Marvin as Violet and Benjamin Karran as Joe, her would-be much younger love interest, excel with the beautiful Let Love Grow.
Hart, the hated boss, is played to perfection by Tim Rogers and West End star Jessica Martin provides some moments of light comic relief as Roz, Hart’s ever faithful and totally loyal assistant who is also secretly in love with her boss and dreams of the day when he will actually take a second look at her, see her as she thinks she appears and ravish her in the way she can only dream of.
Although most of the songs are little known they are all good, catchy Country and Western songs as you would expect from the hands of Dolly and whilst the subject matter of the show is a bit downbeat it really is a feelgood show, you will most definitely find yourself tapping your feet and clapping along (where appropriate) to most of the tunes.
The set design by Amanda Stoodley is simple, but effective, and although it requires desks, tables and chairs to be moved on and off stage at times this is done most efficiently so as not to hold the story up at all. This is a fast-paced musical that keeps the interest of the audience at all times. Go to see this show and you will not only have a good time but also realise just how far we have come in terms of what is now acceptable in the workplace for both men and women.
Hurrah for Dolly!
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Reviewer: Mike Linane