9 to 5 The Musical!
Tues 5th March to Sat 9th March 2019
Based on the 1980 film and set in the late 1970s, 9 to 5 The Musical tell s story of friendship, fantasy and comical comeuppance. Amidst a white-collar world of carbon paper and correction fluid, Violet Newstead, Doralee Rhodes and Judy Bernley are pushed to boling point by their sexist, egotistical, lying hypocrital bigot of a boss, Franklin Hart Jnr. They concoct a plan to kidnap Hart and give their workplace a dream makover!
PHOTO GALLERY
NODA REPORT
9 to 5
8th March 2019
DIRECTOR Matthew Chancellor
MUSICAL DIRECTOR Paul Garner
CHOREOGRAPHER Siobhan Austin-Guest
Report Author: Decia Ranger
It’s always a pleasure to review shows for this society. They have deservedly gained a reputation for putting on musicals of a very high standard, so I was really looking forward to seeing their latest production.
The run was already a sell-out with extra seats being made available on the door and two Saturday performances still to go. Not surprising then that the venue was heaving when we arrived.
Music and lyrics are by Dolly Parton and the star herself introduced us to the show from a screen high up at the back of the stage. The show is set in the late 1970’s and as is to be expected is full of toe tapping country music. The company got us off to a good start with the rousing and energetic title song.
The action revolves around the lives of three women and the society is fortunate to have some strong female leads, all of whom gave terrific performances. Laura Thomas as Violet, a working mother still trying to come to terms with the death of her husband and fed up with being passed over for promotion. Gemma Alexander as Doralee, the sexy country girl innocently wondering why no-one seems to like her, before discovering they all think she is having an affair with the boss and Alison Hare as Judy, new to the company and never having worked outside the home until forced to get a job when her husband left her for a younger woman.
The one thing they all have in common is a chauvinistic boss who they decide to kidnap and keep out of the way for a while, giving them the chance to run the company and prove that women can be more than just secretaries.
A great all round performance by Steve Waring as Franklin Hart Jr. the boss who thinks he can flirt with the women and get away with it. He certainly gets his comeuppance, resulting in some hilarious scenes. His faithful admin assistant Roz, who carries a torch for her boss, was well played by Jane Chate, who really brought out the comedy in the role to great effect.
Madeline Harmer was great as Margaret, always slightly the worse for drink. This was a lovely cameo role and she really made it her own. A good performance by Will Taylor as Joe, trying to get Violet to go out with him. He brought just the right amount of sensitivity to the role, especially in their lovely duet, ‘Let Love Grow’, beautifully song by both.
Of the other principals, Jason Austin-Guest as Doralee’s husband Dwayne, Mary Balarkas as Hart’s wife Missy and Ben Hill as Judy’s ex-husband Dick all gave good performances, as did the strong supporting cast.
Choreography was good and very well executed and there was a very well thought out dream scene. The show was well directed and it was obvious that the cast were well rehearsed. There were some terrific vocals including a great ‘Backwoods Barbie’ by Doralee. The cast had also been well drilled in moving props seamlessly on and off stage which worked really well. Costumes, courtesy of Parma Jacobs and the ladies from wardrobe were of the period.
There were some very realistic sound effects. The sound of typewriter keys tapping away in the background brought back some memories! Lighting and sound were good. For a while there was a buzz which appeared to come from one of the radio mics, but this was put right. Scenery was excellent, painted we were told by one of the younger members of the society. Well done to her. The orchestra under the direction of Paul Garner, once again provided excellent accompaniment.
Very well done to all involved. Thank you for inviting me and for your hospitality.