9-5 The Musical
Information
- Date
- 2nd September 2022
- Society
- Ferryhill Stage Society
- Venue
- Mainsforth Community Centre
- Type of Production
- Musical
- Director
- Enid Bilton Gale
- Musical Director
- Jill Jackson
- Choreographer
- Hannah Jackson
I had the pleasure of my very first visit to Ferryhill Stage Society on Friday to see one of my favourite productions, “9-5 The Musical”. Thanks to the pandemic, this was the first time I had visited Ferryhill and three years since their last production, and what a lovely welcoming group they were with a long glorious history!
Set very simply with minimal staging, the cast were therefore reliant on their skills in bringing the world to life with their presentation and acting skills which they did very well. Sound was evenly distributed though a little quiet, and lighting could have done with being checked for levels as the gobos were glaring right into the audiences eyes I’m afraid which was a little distracting as you’re squinting at the stage.
That said the costuming was excellent and the powerhouse trio of Jade Guy playing Doralee Rhodes, Ann Marie Clayton as Violet Newstead and Faye Rodgerson as Judy Bernly were an absolute delight. All perfectly cast and brought the raw emotion and delivery needed for those roles. Jade perfectly delivered the strong and certainly not Backwoods Barbie character of Doralee, based on Dolly Parton herself and looked absolutely beautiful on stage with a lovely singing voice. Ann Marie Clayton can always be relied on to deliver a strong performance and an incredible vocal and that was no different here. Her singing voice is rich and beautifully controlled and her Violet made no exception. Her delivery of the small chink of vulnerability we see from Violet confessing “I’m a one man woman and I’ve had my one man” brought a lump to my throat. Faye Rodgerson was gorgeous as the sweet vulnerable Judy finding her strength through friendship and I loved her performance. Her songs were sweetly sung and filled you with hope.
The surprise of the night came from Ian Patterson in the role of Franklin Hart Jnr, the sexist egotistical lying hypocritical bigot boss of the company whose behaviour terrorises the workforce. What a difference in you Ian – I loved you playing a baddy! Ian was strong, hilarious, sleazy and believable – his number with Doralee “Here for You” had the audience in stitches at his antics! Really well done!
Also notable was Kayomi Koya in the role of Roz Keith who’s comic delivery was excellent, Liam Etherington in the role of Joe, and Else McGowan as Margaret the office drunk.
I did enjoy the dream sequences, they’re often cut from the performances or replaced with a different song as they’re difficult to stage but they were delivered really well. 9-5 The Musical at the best of times can be a difficult one to get to the stage and Ferryhill did really well.
However what catapulted this show from a good one to a very good one was the choreography by Hannah Jackson. I was amazed to discover it was her first time choreographing each number was appropriate, simple enough for all cast to be able to perform well but well-rehearsed and expertly delivered. I especially enjoyed the Fosse-like delivery of “One of the Boys” – really creative! It really did make a huge difference, and I’d definitely like to see more of your creativity Hannah.
Well done to all concerned, director Enid Bilton Gale and Musical Director Jill Jackson brought out the best in their group, the band were well balanced and it really was a lovely evening. The only way is up Ferryhill, I can’t wait to see more of you.
© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.