9 To 5 The Musical At The Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham Review

Reviewed by Louise Edwards

Audiences at the wonderful Alexandra Theatre in central Birmingham this week are being treated to the awesome musical 9 to 5, based on the 1978 film starring Dolly Parton (who wrote the infamous music and lyrics to the iconic song of the same name).

Forty years ago the workplace was a man’s world with sexist bosses and archaic routines meaning women were doomed to stay in low paid jobs and writer Patricia Resnick worked with Jane Fonda to create this comedy with a political edge set in an office. With the Me Too Movement and equal pay still a contentious point, it can certainly be argued that things haven’t changed that much even today.

Top of the bill is the fantastic Louise Rednapp, who plays ambitious office manager Violet Newstead, a widower of three years, with a teenage son, who has worked at the company for 15 years and really knows her stuff. She is tasked with the induction of new starter, Judy Bernly played by Vivian Panka. Judy married her childhood sweetheart, the appropriately named Dick (played by Joshua Lear), who has recently left her for his 19 year old secretary and so necessity (and embellishment on her resume) has brought her to her first ever day at work. Violet rises to the challenge of ingratiating her protege.

Doralee Rhodes, played by Stephanie Chandos, is PA to the slimy CEO, Franklin Hart Jnr, played by Richard Taylor Woods. Although he is married he lusts after Doralee and everyone in the office think they are having an affair. Doralee (played in the film by Dolly herself) is very happily married and completely ignorant of this knowledge, instead wondering why everyone in the office ostracises her.

Meanwhile Hart does have someone on his side – Roz Keith (played by Julia J Nagle), Hart’s admin assistant, who is ferociously in love with him but he is physically repulsed by her. She is also loathed by Violet who screws up her endless and pointless memos (remember the days of the memo!?).

When Hart Jr passes over Violet for a well deserved promotion, instead offering it to a junior she herself had trained (??!!) Violet, Judy and Doralee, all with an axe to grind, take a “coffee break” and smoke a joint together dreaming up ways to get revenge on their loathsome boss. On their return to the office collaboration, teamwork and retribution take centre stage with hilarious results and a progressive workplace is born.

The stage, with a backdrop of the Manhattan skyline, is seamlessly transformed from being a typing pool to boardroom office to bedroom and kitchen. Stage Manager, Phil Gleaden and his team create something really magical to set the scene and atmosphere.

The show is packed full of musical numbers from 9 to 5, Backwards Barbie, Shine Like the Sun and One of the Boys just a few of the catchy tunes that you will be humming all the way home.

9 to 5 The Musical is a storming ray of sunshine, with a brilliant cast, excellent production, fantastic energy and very funny – dont miss it at a theatre near you!

Rating: 5/5

Tickets cost from £13 (plus £3.65 (transaction fee).

9 to 5 The Musical is at Alexandra Theatre Birmingham until Saturday 20 November

For more information or to book tickets visit https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/9-to-5-the-musical/the-alexandra-theatre-birmingham/ or call the box office on 020 7206 1174

The Alexandra Theatre, Suffolk Queensway, Birmingham, West Midlands, B5 4DS

Further tour dates can be found here https://9to5themusical.co.uk/tour/