Empire Theatre, Sunderland – until 13th November 2021
Reviewed by Sandra Little
5*****
This production, which is an adaptation from the 1980s film of the same name, opened to a full house at Sunderland Empire.The music and lyrics were written by Dolly Parton and the show begins with Dolly appearing as narrator from the centre of a huge gold 9 to 5 clock. We are soon introduced to three of the main characters and they are Violet, played by Louise Redknapp, Judy, played by Vivian Panka and Doralee, played by Stephanie Chandos. The other main character is Franklin Hart Junior, played by Sean Needham
The musical is set in an office in the late 1970s where Franklin Hart’s behaviour towards female staff is sexist, egotistical and misogynist in the extreme! We learn that Violet is a single mum keen for a long promised promotion but is often overlooked. Judy is a new member of staff with no skills and no confidence. She has spent her life caring for her husband and family and her husband has recently left her for a much younger lady. Meanwhile Doralee is happily married but desperate to be friends with everyone and always keen to please. She frequently has to spurn the sexual advances of her boss Franklin Hart.
As is true of many musicals the plot is quite exaggerated in places and includes rat poison in the boss’s coffee and a scene where the boss is trussed up and suspended from the ceiling in his own bondage apparel! While he’s trussed up the three main female characters take charge and change the whole ethos of the office. They introduce a crèche, flexible working, hour long lunch breaks and rehab for one member of staff. Eventually the increased productivity is recognised by the Chairman of the Board and Violet is promoted to CEO. Meanwhile Franklin Hart is sent to work in Bolivia!
There are numerous elements of comedy throughout the show and several sexual references and innuendos.. Franklin Hart is played in the style of a pantomime villain for much of the show which makes these sexual references quite funny, rather than offensive. However intertwined with the comedy and fun and excitement of the high energy song and dance routines some more serious underlying feminist issues faced by women in the 1980s are raised. This musical is a production of its time and clearly celebrates the success of women however there are some issues raised, such as equal pay, which continue to have significance for some women today.
The set for this production is not lavish but does change quite frequently. Some of the women’s costumes captured perfectly the glamorous power dressing styles of the 80s. There were some great vocals in this production, particularly from Judy played by Vivian Panka and it’s definitely a fun, feel good experience which was given a standing ovation by much of the audience at Sunderland Empire.