Eddie Perfect and Erin Clare in 9 TO 5. Photo: David Hooley.
It’s hard to believe that this musical premiered in 2009, following the hugely successful 1980 film, yet has so many points to make that are still (sadly) relevant today. But although its underlying message is sober, everything else about 9 TO 5 is gold-carat, shining fun and super-slick entertainment. Its high-voltage title song is delivered with energy and pizazz by a tightly choreographed ensemble, the lights are up, the colours are Play School bright and everything is glitzy. Even the program has sparkles on it. And it is a brilliant touch that the clock face that descends on stage becomes a frame for a little video introduction from none other than Dolly Parton herself, who is there to introduce the characters and the Australian cast.
And what a cast it is, headed by Aussie musical showbiz royalty. Marina Prior plays Violet Newstead, the smart, sassy and efficient woman who has worked all her life at Consolidated Industries, without a promotion. Casey Donovan is Judy Bernly, a newly separated young woman forced to make a success of her first job. Erin Clare plays Doralee Rhodes (a Dolly Parton lookalike), the bright and beautiful country gal who is not the pushover she seems. And Caroline O’Connor is (boo, hiss!) Roz Keith, the antithesis of change and equality, who is fiercely (and hilariously) in love with the awful, misogynistic boss, Franklin Hart Jnr, played to perfection by Eddie Perfect.
Glitter, rhinestone, great voices and music, sharp choreography, good oneliners…. what’s not to like?
The underlying message is of course sexism in the workplace and women’s struggle for equal opportunities. And all that’s changed since 1980, right? It’s no wonder lines such as, Why shouldn’t there be a female CEO?, still make audiences laugh out loud. And there is no longer corruption in big business, and politicians are all honest. And bosses might not ask their secretaries to buy birthday presents for their wives (I remember that!). And pigs might fly. But back to this production.
Standouts. Eric Clare’s rendition of Backwoods Barbie is nothing short of fabulous. It gave me goosebumps. The fantasy tango between Roz and Franklin Hart Jnr is comic genius. Decked out in red and black, there are shades of Rocky Horror in O’Connor’s costume – and there is more of that when Franklin gets his first come-uppance at the end of the first act. No spoilers! Casey Donovan had the audience on its feet at the end of her powerful solo, Get Out and Stay Out. Deservedly so.
And here’s my only negative criticism, which hopefully is no longer valid. All the leads have great voices but on opening night the sound was sometimes a little muddy from where I was sitting. Some of those fabulous voices and great solos seemed to be fighting an equally strong and powerful orchestra.
But the overall impression is one of toe-tapping, feel-good fun. A great night out and a chance to concentrate on Violet, Doralee and Judy’s woes and struggles instead of what else is happening elsewhere in the world. Parton wrote the score, including the much-loved song, 9 to 5, and the book is by the movie’s original screenwriter Patricia Resnick. In the program, Resnick says she is working on a sequel and plans to introduce three new diverse female characters alongside the original feisty trio. She won’t be short of material, given movements such as MeToo and the continuing battle against sexism and other prejudices.
Meanwhile, catch 9 TO 5 at the Capitol Theatre. It’s on until 8 May in Sydney (with seasons in Brisbane and Melbourne to follow).
Tickets from $69 (plus transaction fees). More information at 9to5themusical.com.au or 136 100
