Stumble out of bed and tumble to The Alexandra Theatre Birmingham where BMOS present 9 to 5 the musical!
BMOS Musical Theatre Company is an award-winning theatre organisation. They have been entertaining tens of thousands of people for 134 years, helping foster many stars of stage and screen including Birmingham’s very own Kathryn Rooney who has headlined many a Hippodrome Panto and most recently starred in Calendar Girls on the London stage. Jon Boydon, recently a lead player in Jersey Boys in the West End, and Margaret Preece who appeared in, and was the singing voice of Carlotta (Minnie Driver) in the film, The Phantom of the Opera. Now they are back to put on another classic. Based on the beloved 1980 film which starred Dolly Parton, Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda, 9 to 5 premiered on Broadway in 2009, with music and lyrics by Dolly Parton and the dialogue adapted by Patricia Resnick.
Pushed to their limits, three female co-workers concoct a devious plan to get even with the sexist, egotistical, hypocritical bigot they call their boss. In a hilarious turn of events, Violet, Judy and Doralee live out their wildest fantasy - giving their boss the boot! While their boss Franklin Hart remains "otherwise engaged," the women give their workplace a dream makeover, taking control of the company that had always kept them down. Hey, a girl can scheme, can't she?
The three leading ladies do a wonderful job. It must be a bit daunting fulfilling the roles of such iconic women, but they all shine on the stage. Rachel Richards plays “Judy” (Jane Fonda's role). She delivers her solo with an energetic performance. Michelle Worthington plays “Violet” (Lily Tomlin's role). She captures the business of Violet's life through her performance. Jo Smith takes on “Doralee” (Dolly Parton’s role), she was made for the role as she is both feisty and funny. Their rendition of “I Just Might” was brilliant. The vocals were strong, and the three ladies delivered emotive performances.
Parton's music and lyrics are exuberantly sincere. "9 to 5," is the title track from the movie, and the opening number in the musical and plays throughout the production between scenes. This is a show that is all about the music. Sure, it's musical theatre, but this show provides a consistent barrage of production numbers, power ballad solos and harmonic trios. The songs lend themselves brilliantly to the characters and help to narrate the story.
The show also leaves room for thought to ponder how progressive we are as a society. Let’s hope that, as with sexism in the workplace, soon their diversity won’t be so remarkable. Because there is a line in the show – ‘that in 10 years perhaps men and women will earn the same pay’ – that shows that we aren’t quite there yet.
Comments