9 to 5 The Musical

    

This was Musical Theatre Salisbury’s first production at Blackledge theatre. Part of a School it is a small multipurpose theatre and for this production of “9 to 5” it was set up to play in the round, with the audience on three sides and the seven piece band set up on the stage behind the performers.

I thought that this was an excellent, light hearted, show, with a fabulous and very enthusiastic cast  It was full of energy and highly entertaining.  

I felt that the five principal characters were all excellent and ideally suited in their roles.  However a big congratulations must go to Debbie Horne as Violet, for taking on her first leading role after twenty years with the company, I thought that it was amazing performance and she really looked very comfortable in the role. 

Because it was played in the round, there was very little need for scenery, but there were lots of props, especially in the main office scene. The cast were tasked with bringing it all on and off, it was all done smoothly and very effectively without disrupting the flow of the show

I have always felt that because the music and lyrics were written by Dolly Parton, the show should have that wonderful country western sound to it.  The orchestra may have been very good and made a nice sound but they were far too loud throughout with too much brass for such a small venue.  Sadly, a lot of the ensemble singing was drowned out at times, and even though we were sat on the second row, it was also very difficult to hear some of the libretto over the music.

Once again this was an example where the members of the company have spent months of hard work rehearsing to produce an excellent show, which they did. Only to be let down by the technical side of the production which spoilt what was otherwise another excellent show from MTS

 

 

 

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