9 to 5

Dolly Parton opening the show?! What more could an audience ask for?! From the outset this production had energy and pizzazz and the audience were thoroughly entertained.

We were greeted with an excellent set by Scenic Projects and there was an immediate vibrancy to the opening number performed by the company, with the choreography being well crafted throughout.

With good performances from Dean Walker as the lying, egotistical, sexist, hypocritical bigoted Franklin Hart, Sean Davies as Joe and a lovely performance of the Hart-obsessed Roz by Sioban Miles, three leading ladies were perfectly supported and given the platform to shine.

Sarah Clatworthy as Judy gave a fantastic journey to the character from demure, prissy recent divorcee to a feisty self-confident woman, taking no prisoners and of course demonstrating her fabulous voice delightfully. A similar journey was seen in the performance given by Cath Fraser as Violet who also wowed the audience with great vocal skills and fantastic stage presence. The last, but by no means the least, of the three was Rachael Clee as Doralee. Such stage presence, vocal ability and enthusiasm from this young performer lit up the stage and delighted the audience.

This was by far and away the best production I have seen from Cockett in recent years and it was lovely to see new members joining the company for this musical.Congratulations and I look forward to the next production.

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