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BrumHour saw 9 to 5 The Musical at the invitation of The Alexandra.
By Julie Wallis
9 to 5 The Musical at The Alexandra
Directed by Jeff Calhoun, book by Patricia Resnick, music and lyrics by Dolly Parton
9 to 5 The Musical, based on the film of the same name is at The Alexandra until Saturday 14th September and it is a total fun-fest.
The story involves three ladies, Violet Newstead (Louise Redknapp), Judy Bernly (Amber Davies) and Doralee Rhodes (Georgina Castle) who work for Franklin Hart (Sean Needham) their ungrateful, misogynistic boss. Overlooking Violet for promotion, Franklin gives the promotion to one of the boys, whilst at the same time, he is helping to spread the rumour that he is having an affair with his secretary Doralee. Finally, the girls snap and teach Franklin a lesson with hilarious consequences.
Set in the 1980’s, the costume design nails that vibrant, acid bright look of the decade and with the stripped-back set design, great songs and guaranteed laughs, this very funny show will transport you to a happy place. I was blown away by this show, it just has so much energy, so much escapism and so much fun.
All of the cast were wonderful and Louise Redknapp as well as being a talented singer is also an admirable stage actor. With a terrific line up of songs including Hey Boss, Backwoods Barbie and for me the standout song Get out and Stayout (performed by Amber Davies, who has a phenomenal voice) this is a musical-lovers perfect night, but of course all the other songs sort of pale into insignificance when 9 to 5 blasts out, such an iconic song, it has the audience clapping, toe-tapping and then on their feet for a standing ovation.
Sean Needham certainly got a lot of laughs when he was ‘hanging around’ too. This is a very funny show, much, much funnier than I remember the film being. I have seen the film and it was kind of meh! I didn’t dislike it, but I never bothered to watch it again. 9 to 5 The Musical however, I could happily watch that every night this week, it is a blast. So much better than I anticipated.
With some fabulously big dance scenes, the choreography is outstanding thanks to Lisa Stevens and last night The Alexandra felt much bigger than it has felt before.
I loved the introduction by Dolly Parton herself, ok it was via the medium of video, but it was a really good start to a wonderful evening of song, dance and laughter. 9 to 5 is my own favourite production from The Alexandra so far this year and one to recommend. If I awarded points out of ten, this show was an eleven for me.
9 to 5 The Musical is at The Alexandra until Saturday 14th September 2019.
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