9 to 5

After the 1980 film of the same name, “9 to 5”, the stage musical opened on Broadway in April 2009, receiving 15 Drama Desk Award nominations and 4 Tony nominations. It premiered in the UK in 2012 but did not open in the West End till 2021. It received mixed reviews from “Lavish and harmless entertainment” & “a Triumph” to “Goofily entertaining” & “Gaudy, empty musical”!

 

Queen’s M. T. Society’s Set was very basic. A backdrop of an indoor wall with a door and lift front to which props were added to create a general office space, the CEO’s office, a bedroom etc. All these were moved on and off  quickly and efficiently but, if a piece is included the first time a scene is created, it should be there for that scene every time – i.e. the bookcase in the CEO’s office which featured when Doralee was at the top of a stepladder looking for a particular file! 

Sound was clear and Lighting, although simple, was well focused and timed. Costumes – mostly cast sourced I presume – were varied and suitable for the era, with some ‘specials’ from “Ravara Productions” which did not always fit the wearer perfectly!

 

Played by Clio Byard, Violet was senior office supervisor in ‘Consolidated Industries’ – and one of the protagonists who led the outrageous plot! She was smart and efficient but had become fed up with being passed over for promotion by her arrogant and sexist boss. Judy (Anna Neeson), newly separated from her husband, was a new secretary at ‘Consolidated’ and helped to plan the revenge strategy on the despised boss. Anna was very likeable and having never worked before she showed the gaining in confidence of Judy from a naïve and flustered new office recruit. As the boss’s secretary, Doralee was disliked by the other employees because she was a smiley and sexy country girl and they thought she was having an affair with him. Played by Megan Byrne, Doralee was horrified to be targeted by the lecherous man and keen to join with Violet and Judy  to conspire against him! These three women related well to each other as empowerment replaced downtrodden and the plot for his downfall was a delight! Their solo and combined musical numbers were all well

delivered.

 

The before -mentioned boss was Franklin D Hart, who was played in true pompous fashion by Adam English. Although a difficult role for one so young and slight in stature, Adam managed quite well to portray the arrogant and egotistical womaniser and, when found to be embezzling the company, everyone was delighted with his comeuppance! The only fan he had was Ros (Serena Smart) his administrative assistant, who suffered unrequited love for her boss! Somewhat of an office gossip and snitch, she was unpopular with other staff but  Serena took advantage of all the comedic aspect of her role. Other ladies in ‘Consolidated Industries’ typing pool were Kathy (Amber Monahan), Maria (Catherine Pollen) and Margaret (Emily Lavery). The former two were friendly and good natured; the latter was the office lush! It’s difficult not to overact ‘drunk’ but Emily kept to just the right level, and when Margaret had been to rehab Emily was convincing in her transformation.

 

Violet, who was a widow with a kind and ‘chilled-out’ son Josh (Ethan McCarron), was romantically pursued by Callum Tickner as Joe, the firm’s kind and honest accountant. She resisted his advances until near the end of the show when they admitted their mutual attraction – a sensitively sung “Let Love Grow”. Other featured male roles were Jackson Allen as Doralee’s kind and protective husband Dwayne, and Noah Glenn as Dick – Judy’s estranged husband. Hannah Ferguson was a bit of an airhead as Franklin’s wife Missy – it was not really a role you can get your teeth into, whereas Corey Cowan’s small role as Chairman of the Board, Russell Tinsworthy allowed him to make an authoritarian impact. A good number of Ensemble members came forward in smaller individual roles and all were fully committed to their performances- especially the featured dancers.

 

This production’s music was on backing tracks, expertly managed by MD Wyatt Brower.. Vocals were well taught – I presume by Wyatt. Russell Unsworth – a member of QMTS since 2022 – was new to the choreographer’s position for this their main show but has gained experience in West End workshops, annual showcases and Winter Mini Musicals. He worked well with Charlie McCready as Director and Assistant Director Sophie Lemon to produce a pacy show. It was obvious that they had inspired their cast and crew to give of their best and to enjoy doing it. This was a tale of injustice in the workplace and three women who decide to do something about it.

 

I was delighted to attend Queen’s Musical Theatre Society as a new member of NODA and look forward to building a great relationship with them. My thanks to all involved for the invitation.

 

 

The views in this report are solely of the author.

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