THE ALEXANDRA THEATRE, BIRMINGHAM – UNTIL SATURDAY 20TH NOVEMBER 2021
REVIEWED BY NADIA DODD
4****
Love or hate good old Dolly Parton, 9-5 the Musical was a real crowd-pleaser tonight at the Alex.
From the start with the opening famous toe tapping beat of the song 9-5, I believe the packed auditorium knew they were in for a great few hours ahead.
Dolly herself appears as the narrator at times in the show, introducing the main characters at the start and updating us throughout, she appears via a video within a bright golden yellow clock above the stage.
Clever scenery, bright lights and colours set the scene back to the 80’s office where men ruled and women were merely secretaries being told what to do by the afore mentioned men.
The musical is an adaptation of the 1980’s hit movie, featuring Dolly, which I have never seen so had no idea what so ever to expect. After seeing the show I now want to watch the movie and see Dolly in action.
Our 3 main characters in the show Violet (Louise Redknapp), Doralee (Stephanie Chandos) and Judy (Vivian Panka) race around the office trying to make careers for themselves in what was then a very male world in the workplace. Their boss, Franklin Hart Jr (Richard Taylor Woods filling in for Sean Needham) is sleazy and corrupt and the 3 women set out to expose him.
Great unity is portrayed from the 3 women who each have their own stories and backgrounds to tell, who join forces to defeat their horrible boss.
Parton wrote all of the songs for the musical which first hit the theatres in 2009. For me, it was Vivian Panka who played Judy who really stood out with such stunning vocals for her UK debut, she was perfection to say the least.
There is nothing unkind to be said about this production, littered with so many opportunities for audience laughter, it is entirely harmless.
Yes the overall message of women being accepted as equals in what was seen as a man’s world then may now be dated, but the sisterhood between the main characters came over very loud and clear.
An extremely funny, feel good production that I would encourage anyone to see even if they aren’t a Dolly fan, you won’t be disappointed.