9-5 The Musical

Clacton Musical Theatre Society picked a real treat of a show in Dolly Parton’s 9-5 The Musical, and it looked like the cast was having a blast performing it, too. A strong, lively opening, set expectations high and the audience was not disappointed. With Dolly Parton herself taking centre stage in a projected image, this immediately set the tone for fun, with a strong, womanly touch.
Pace was good and scene changes were very slick; the cast were well directed and rehearsed, and this clearly showed. Everyone’s energy and enthusiasm for the production was obvious.
Vocal ability across the board was excellent and the three lead actors not only complemented each other but their voices blended well, as was apparent in the vocal harmonies of, ‘I Just Might’ and the trio, ‘Nobody’s Fool’. Every actor gave a well-rounded characterisation, but the show belonged to the three leading ladies; Sam Church, Cassie May Weston and Jennifer Richardson.
As Violet Newstead, Sam had brilliant comic timing and great stage presence. Her portrayal of the ambitious but thwarted office manager was spot on, and the ‘will they, won’t they’ relationship with Simon Hipkin’s, earnest and likeable Joe, was particularly touching. Her interaction with son Josh, played ably by Luke Cornelouse, was completely believable. Jennifer Richardson was perfect as the nervous and naïve Judy; she gave us a convincing character development, from weak and credulous, to a woman with strength and confidence, ready to take on the world, with or without a man.
As Doralee Rhodes, Cassie May Weston had a lovely, warm country-style voice and was very much the ‘Dolly’ we expected; self-assured, outspoken and willing to stand up for what she believed in, but with a sensitive side.
Peter Norfolk was suitably dislikeable as the girls’ misogynistic boss, Franklin Hart Jr. He certainly deserved all he got and there was no sympathy for this despicable character.
Ashlea Moore, too, was well cast as Roz, whose unrequited love for her boss, however unlikely, is revealed in the song ‘Heart to Hart’. Ashlea warmed into the song and by the end convinced us of her sexy alter ego with a misguided passion.

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