Nine to Five

I was interested to see how the group would go about staging this musical, after the very good production last year of ‘A Little Shop of Horrors’. Here, the office setting and scene changes need to be creative and slick to keep the impetus of the show, while the characters of Doralee, Violet and Judy need to provide much of the energy and empathy of the production.

Once again, KLOGs worked wonders. The Direction by Scott Rogers was excellent.  The concept of using the numbers as the theme of the stage décor was brilliant. The numbers even formed the desks that moved on and off stage during the performance. The production benefited from good planning, so that entrances and exits looked natural and easy and set changes were accomplished without pause. There was always something happening onstage to catch the eye, yet focus for individuals was also created to very good effect. The paper passing for ‘Change It’ was very creative.

The music, led by Lee Tesdale, was very well played. Having the musicians at the back of the stage enabled them to see the actors for timings and pace, which worked well. The playing was supportive but not intrusive. The sound generally was well handled, with the clear diction of the actors making the story clear for the audience.  I enjoyed the sound of the typewriters very much!

The lighting was very inventive, with strips of lights inside the numbers used to very good effect. The lighting on the numbers also created varying moods on stage, with the help of well-judged general lighting. The spotlights were very well used for the solo and small group numbers. Lighting cues were prompt and the changes generally nicely subtle. The costumes created a lovely sense of the late 1970s, with appropriate hairstyles and occasional hats. I loved the idea of ‘Casual Friday’ being on a Thursday! The shoes were particularly well found, especially tap shoes that look like office wear. I have to say I did enjoy seeing Mr Hart tied up in a straight jacket!

The Choreography was very creative. The opening number using arms as the hands of a clock was totally in keeping with the theme of the show. The tap dances were well constructed and performed, fitting neatly into the performance. Everyone worked well together to create the bustle of the office onstage, while the group numbers were full of energy.

This production was a good example of co-operation and teamwork throughout. The departments all complemented each other in their sections while the cast worked well together in creating a realistic atmosphere of office life. It was a joy to see this talented cast creating characters that were realistic yet slightly larger than life. The singing and dialogue were both clear and easy to hear, the mood changes were clear, while the characterisations were vibrant. This was a very enjoyable show to see!

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