9 to 5 the Musical

In their 75th year the company were performing the UK Amateur Premier of Dolly Parton’s “9 to 5” and an excellent job they made of it too! From the opening rendition of the title song to its finale reprise, both by the full company (and an enthusiastic audience), the show unfolded at a cracking pace. The show was dominated (in more ways than one!) by the three principal ladies Leanne Craggs (Doralee Rhodes), Amanda Watt (Judy Bernley) and Samantha Gray (Violet Newstead). Each of the ladies were superb both in the portrayal of their disparate characters but also in their singing. However for me Samantha Gray’s playing of Violet Newstead just had the edge. I particularly enjoyed her  rendition of the full  blown song and dance number “One of the Boys” with the male ensemble and at the other end of the spectrum the wistful “Let Love Grow” duet with her younger love interest Joe (a sympathetic performance by Gavin McKay). Excellent performances were given by Scott Jamieson (the overbearing boss Franklin Hart Jr) and by Hilary Esson (his love-lorn PA) who both got their come-uppance. Strong support in the minor character roles was given by Wendy Ross (Kathy), Janet Renfrew (Margaret), Jennifer McKinnon Jackson (Maria Delgado), Ruairi MacKinnon (Josh Newstead), Michael Harbottle (Dwayne), Gary McLarence (Tinsworthy) and Bill Wood (Detective). The ensemble singing and movement were first-class throughout. The orchestra under the well-controlled baton of the M.D. were first class. Costuming perfectly reflected the late 1970’s period in which the piece is set. The set was simple but very effective with good use of video wall technology to ring the changes between the full stage scenes set in the office and those more intimate scenes in the characters’ homes. Overall an outstanding show well deserving of the standing ovation it received from the appreciative audience

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