Little Theatre Company present
9 to 5 : The Musical
The Palace Theatre, Westcliff on Sea
10th-13th May 2017
9 to 5 : The Musical
The Palace Theatre, Westcliff on Sea
10th-13th May 2017
There aren't many shows that are introduced by the one and only Dolly Parton, but seeing as she wrote this particular one, it seems only fitting that her presence is felt, albeit as a projected image on to a clock (9 to 5 - geddit?) above the stage. Dolly duly introduces us to the three women who are about to go on a journey of self discovery and career empowerment, taking control of the company they work for by getting even with their bigoted, sexist, egotistical boss. No mean feat for ladies of this particular secretariat, for it is 1979, a time where women were just starting to find their way back into a working environment dominated by men.
The women is question are Violet Newstead, Doralee Rhodes and Judy Bernly who are played by Lianne Larthe, Louisa Strachan and Eleanor Softly, the roles which were played by Lily Tomlin, Dolly Parton and Jane Fonda in the film version. These are great roles and all three girls make the very most of a script that's fluidity is somewhat hampered by the unfortunately clunky scene changes that occur throughout the show.
All three girls have great voices and and I Just Might, Shine Like The Sun and Change It are three of the numbers in the show where they get to show these off together. Individually, Louisa's Backwoods Barbie and Eleanor's Get Out and Stay Out numbers really give them a chance to shine, despite having the distractions of scene changes going on in the background. Lianne's One of the Boys cabaret style solo, however, had no such distractions and made for a great watch. I also enjoyed the scene where the girls get stoned.
Ian Benson as the lying, hypocritical boss of the company, completely encompassed his character's seediness and must also be given full marks for carrying on, like the trouper he is, when an office desk that didn't appear during the scene change, was suddenly whizzed on stage in the nick of time, for him to sit behind.
The wonderful character of Roz, the pain in the butt, jobsworth co-worker who has a crush on the boss man, is played by Stephanie Wilson, who looks and plays the part with real comedic gusto, not least in her song, Heart to Hart.
Another nicely played scene is with Joe, played by John Blatchford, and Violet, with Let Love Grow; and a lovely example of there being 'no such thing as a small part' has to go to Samantha Anderson who, as Margaret the office lush, was never once out of character during the show.
MD, Clare Penfold, has done a fabulous job with the cast's vocals and even has to keep in time for when Dolly re-appears at the end of the show to join in with the singing.
Thanks to Dolly Parton, her music and a strong leading cast, Little Theatre Company have a good show here; it's just a shame that the pace is never really able to be kept with the literal 'scene stealer' changes and cues, that are required to keep this show zipping along at its best.
All that aside, the Thursday matinee audience all seemed to be having a really great time, especially with a reprise of 9 to 5 after the bows to sing and clap along to and I defy anyone not to have 9 to 5 as an ear-worm for at least 24 hours after seeing this show!
Tickets are still available at www.southendtheatres.org.uk or call the box office on 01702 351135
The women is question are Violet Newstead, Doralee Rhodes and Judy Bernly who are played by Lianne Larthe, Louisa Strachan and Eleanor Softly, the roles which were played by Lily Tomlin, Dolly Parton and Jane Fonda in the film version. These are great roles and all three girls make the very most of a script that's fluidity is somewhat hampered by the unfortunately clunky scene changes that occur throughout the show.
All three girls have great voices and and I Just Might, Shine Like The Sun and Change It are three of the numbers in the show where they get to show these off together. Individually, Louisa's Backwoods Barbie and Eleanor's Get Out and Stay Out numbers really give them a chance to shine, despite having the distractions of scene changes going on in the background. Lianne's One of the Boys cabaret style solo, however, had no such distractions and made for a great watch. I also enjoyed the scene where the girls get stoned.
Ian Benson as the lying, hypocritical boss of the company, completely encompassed his character's seediness and must also be given full marks for carrying on, like the trouper he is, when an office desk that didn't appear during the scene change, was suddenly whizzed on stage in the nick of time, for him to sit behind.
The wonderful character of Roz, the pain in the butt, jobsworth co-worker who has a crush on the boss man, is played by Stephanie Wilson, who looks and plays the part with real comedic gusto, not least in her song, Heart to Hart.
Another nicely played scene is with Joe, played by John Blatchford, and Violet, with Let Love Grow; and a lovely example of there being 'no such thing as a small part' has to go to Samantha Anderson who, as Margaret the office lush, was never once out of character during the show.
MD, Clare Penfold, has done a fabulous job with the cast's vocals and even has to keep in time for when Dolly re-appears at the end of the show to join in with the singing.
Thanks to Dolly Parton, her music and a strong leading cast, Little Theatre Company have a good show here; it's just a shame that the pace is never really able to be kept with the literal 'scene stealer' changes and cues, that are required to keep this show zipping along at its best.
All that aside, the Thursday matinee audience all seemed to be having a really great time, especially with a reprise of 9 to 5 after the bows to sing and clap along to and I defy anyone not to have 9 to 5 as an ear-worm for at least 24 hours after seeing this show!
Tickets are still available at www.southendtheatres.org.uk or call the box office on 01702 351135
Louisa Strachan is playing the Dolly Parton role of Doralee
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Eleanor Softly plays the part of Judy which Jane Fonda played in the film
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Lianne Larthe plays Violet the role played by Lily Tomlin in the film
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Ian Benson plays the seedy bigoted box, Franklin Hart Jr
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For tickets go online to www.southendtheatres.org.uk or call the box office on 01702 351135