9 to 5 The Musical At The Mayflower Theatre Review

Reviewed by Freya Knudsen

Opening at the Mayflower Southampton, this week, is 9 to 5 The Musical. I visited with my aunt, a huge Dolly Parton fan. The story, based upon the 1980 film of the same name, follows three female office workers navigating working for their chauvinistic boss and having been pushed to the brink, they decide to get even and make a few changes along the way towards equality and bettering the workplace. It makes an important statement that is still applicable today for women everywhere, although presented in an accessible, light-hearted manner through the music and lyrics of Dolly Parton.

Our three leading ladies – Violet Newstead, played by Louise Redknapp, a long-term office supervisor hoping for a promotion at Consolidated Companies and widowed mum of a teenage son. Judy Bernly, played by Vivian Panka, a young woman propelled into a working environment after her husband leaves her for an even younger woman and Doralee Rhodes, played by Stephanie Chandos, the CEO’s long suffering personal assistant, who much of the office shun because of her looks and the assumption that she’s sleeping with the boss. The three women bond over their common experience of the blatant sexism shown by their repugnant CEO and after a few mishaps, take the opportunity to make some changes.

The show begins with a huge, gold, glitter sign 9 to 5 – campy to its core, the ‘o’ in to being utilised as a clock in places and as a screen for Dolly’s intro and outro, to give an update to the characters after the narrative of the show. The audience cheered whenever Dolly made an appearance, clearly an icon who wouldn’t recognise her aesthetic and characteristic country twang.

The 80s style of the show is continued from film to play, both through costume, hairstyles and through the stage being framed by computers of the era that changed colour to reflect the atmosphere. The screen backdrop was also cleverly utilised to replicate the environment with props largely synonymous with office décor. The cast move these seamlessly between scenes and there’s always lots to see. Something especially great was with the CEO in his home location, if you know, you know!

The three leads did a brilliant job of growing their characters through to independent women, ready to take on the world! Each of their performances were balanced, but the supporting cast were equally fantastic. The ‘sexist and egotistical’ CEO of the company, Franklin Hart Jnr played by Sean Needham was someone the audience loved to hate, but also laugh along with him – particularly when at home in the bedroom, make sure you hang around to catch the very end of act one and the beginning of the interval. Not to mention, the office spy Roz Keith, played by Julia J Nagle, hopelessly in love with Hart. A standout for me was her scene where she declares her love for him, but you could guarantee whenever she was on stage a laugh was not far away, both provided some great comic performances.

There was also a lovely speech at the close of the show from the cast led by Louise Rednapp and Sean Needham, who played Franklin Hart Jnr otherwise known as CEO of Consolidated Companies. During this, they stayed to thank the audience for attending and supporting theatre after such a tumultuous time, something we should all continue to do to support both theatres themselves and all involved with these shows that put in such hard work to make them happen and entertain.

I would encourage everyone to go see the show, you really don’t have to of seen the film or even be a fan of Dolly Parton to enjoy this hilarious musical. It was a great fun night out, and the blokes in the audience seemed to love the show as much as the women, much to my surprise.

Rating: 5/5

Tickets cost from £19.50 (booking fees may apply).

9 to 5 The Musical is at the Mayflower Theatre from 31st August – 4th September, for more information or to book tickets visit https://www.mayflower.org.uk/whats-on/9-to-5-2021/

Mayflower Theatre 22-26 Commercial Rd, Southampton SO15 1GE