Lyceum, Sheffield – until 12th February 2022
Reviewed by Alison Beaumont
4****
9 to 5 is based on the 80’s film of the same name and features music and lyrics by Dolly Parton. It is based around 3 women who work at Consolidated Industries and who are pushed to their limits by their sexist pig of a boss Franklin Hart. After being passed over for yet another promotion Violet is non too happy. Meanwhile Doralee finds out that Hart has been making it known to everyone he was having an affair with her which is why all the office staff turned their backs on her. Over a joint Violet, Doralee and Judy fantasise about killing Hart. The next day Violet accidentally puts rat poison in Hart’s coffee. Hart finds out about the rat poison and tries to blackmail the 3 women. The 3 women plan to kidnap Hart and make him a prisoner in his own home and then take over running the company their way. Whilst running the company they find Hart has been embezzling money. Hart eventually makes his escape just as the CEO descends on the office. With productivity having been increased and Hart finally exposed Violet is promoted to be the first ever female CEO.
The opening stage with the big gold 9 to 5 was eye catching and then the legendary Dolly Parton made an appearance on video which I really was not expecting. To see this world famous icon albeit by video certainly added to this show and what a way to start. From this point the show just got better and better. In the first song 9 to 5 you got your first taste of the hilarity that was to follow (I won’t go into detail as you won’t miss it when you go to see the show).
Violet played by the famous Claire Sweeney (who originally started out her career in Brookside and was the first host of 60 Minute Makeover, yes I’m showing my age lol) as always gave an amazing performance. The quick costume change in “One of the Boys” was particularly astonishing, blink and you might miss it.
Judy was played by the phenomenal Vivian Panka making her UK debut and what can I say she was outstanding. Her vocals in my opinion were by far the best of the 3 girls. Well done Vivian and let’s hope we see her in many other productions. Her character transformation from the nervous Judy on her first day at the office to a strong independent woman was well performed.
Doralee (Stephanie Chandos) played the character of Hart’s secretary. Although at times it was hard to tell some of her words and in the songs could sound a bit screechy this was down to the accent of the character she was playing. Overall she portrayed the character well.
The most hilarious scene for me was when Hart (Sean Needham, who is no stranger to the stage having numerous credits to his name) was in the bondage gear. Adding to the hilarity of this scene when he was dangling in mid air at the end of Act 1 and the lights came up and they didn’t bring the curtain down straight away and left him hanging there when he was motioning to be brought down. Just an extra bit of fun and comedy added onto this already funny musical.
Roz (Julia Nagle) has a serious crush on Hart and did the scene of “Heart to Heart” remarkedly well. At times I felt some of her characteristics reminded me of Miss Hanninghan in Annie.
The ensemble all performed well and the production went smoothly. A production filled with laughter, bare bums and sexual innuendos certainly made the audience laugh. All in all a great musical and would definitely go and see this again