Yvonne Arnaud Theatre – until 1st August 2026
Reviewed by Heather Chalkley
4****
The Director Paul Jepson wants to remind us; it all started with a protest. Based on the original film, this production plays homage to 9to5, the organisation formed over 50 years ago in Boston. The members, mainly women clerical workers, formed the voice protesting against the inequalities and harassment in the workplace. Their aim was to improve the lot for working women.
The caustic humour drives home the reality for office based women of the era. The big characters of Violet, Doralee and Judy give you different perspectives and experiences of the misogynistic power play within every big company at that time. The passion comes through in her voice as Jade Marvin (Violet) delivers a strong performance, expressing the frustration of being overlooked for promotion through songs like Around Here. Kayla Carter (Judy) brilliantly transforms from a happy innocent to this independent woman who can see clearly now what is rightfully hers. Carter grows Judy’s character through the music coming into her own with Get Out Stay Out. The misunderstood Doralee (Karla Tracey), always smiling, explodes with anger when she discovers the truth about the office rumour mill. Backwoods Barbie is a perfect song for Tracey’s (Doralee) lyrical country music voice.
The humour running throughout the show is the perfect tool to convey the message. Mainly male characters are the stooge for punchlines, creating caricatures out of their exaggerated behaviour. Tim Rogers (Franklin Hart, Jr) is particularly good at this, spending quite a lot of time without any trousers on! The ensemble gives it weight with an outstanding performance from Jessica Martin (Roz), singing Heart to Hart, a woman besotted with her boss.
Much credit goes to musical director Andrew Hilton, who does Dolly Parton’s original score justice. You can feel Dolly’s presence running throughout. Add the brilliant choreography of Lisa Steven’s and you have a well put together production. The Creative Team have managed to fit a big production onto a local stage, which is no mean feat. In keeping with Landmark Theatre’s philosophy of bringing big theatre to small places, making it accessible for all.