Review: 9 to 5 the musical – Edinburgh Footlights

Dolly Parton and Patricia Resnick’s cheery take on the beloved 1980 movie of the same name, isn’t a first-rate musical. Parton is a fantastic songwriter, but despite being frequently toe-tapping and thoroughly competent, the songbook never quite measures up to the monstrous chart-topping ‘9 to 5’ which opens proceedings. I’ve seen the show a few times now, and I’d struggle to hum you another melody.

Nevertheless, this comedy-drama offers ample fun as co-workers and unlikely allies Violet (Orly Benn), Doralee (Fiona Forster), and Judy (Richeldis Brosnan) stage a workplace coup after kidnapping their odious lech of a boss Franklin Hart, Jr (Levi Jones).

Co-directors Ellie Jackson and Max Middleton certainly did themselves a favour when casting the show. Benn is a superb actor, and if occasionally a little pitchy, has the knack of delivering meaning, and not only lyrics. Forster is sufficiently perky in pink as the Texan rose with a revolver in her handbag, whilst a spinetingling Brosnan offers the best voice in the cast. Jones makes them a big, bluff enemy, and even if he is a tad more clownish than a believably bigoted predator, he completes a central quartet with the chemistry needed to keep the action interesting.

“Co-directors Ellie Jackson and Max Middleton certainly did themselves a favour when casting the show.”

About them, the supporting cast and singing/dancing ensemble acquit themselves well, from sozzled office deadbeat to typewriter technology enthusiasts. Combined in chorus they can certainly belt out a number, and between them and a full-throttle band under Benji Castella McDonald and Eric Rogers, no one can accuse this 9 to 5 of lacking audio power. The first-act finale, ‘Shine Like the Sun’ finds the assembled talents at their particular best, and if it’s a fairly by-the-numbers uplifting show tune, the result is worthy of healthy applause.

**Some shots from rehearsals for ‘9 to 5 the musical from Edinburgh Footlights. Click to enlarge and for details.**

Bravo choreographer Lyss Britton too, for managing to keep the company in energised motion whilst bits of furniture come and go, sometimes passing only inches away from a flying leg during the frequent, and borderline hectic scene changes.

However, despite – or perhaps as a result of – the joyful energy pulsing through the production, the story occasionally becomes a little disjointed. This is particularly true when the action moves from office to hospital, where we find our heroic trio waiting to see if they have accidentally poisoned their boss to death. Avoidable sprinklings of dead time as characters come and go, or make a quick change out of sight, risk the show’s momentum. It’s nothing unforgivable, but with a little more attention to detail, it is avoidable.

A little more rehearsal might have also led to tighter, more reliable mic cues. Fortunately, sound designer Jack Oldcorn still balances the production admirably well.

“However, despite – or perhaps as a result of – the joyful energy pulsing through the production, the story occasionally becomes a little disjointed.”

Even more to the good, the highlight of this musical for me has always been the second act ‘Get Out and Stay Out’, and so it proves when left to Brosnan. It’s with no little style, emotion or vocal power that she puts her worthless ex-husband on blast. There are plenty of people who can sing in this Footlight’s cast, but Brosnan has a particularly lovely tone. Hers is not the show’s only tour de force moment, however. Kudos are also owed to Hannah Whelan’s Roz, Hart’s besotted secretary, and her genuinely funny, and technically impressive rendition of ‘Heart to Hart’.

Sterling these, and other performers may be, however, this production of 9 to 5 the musical isn’t ultimately strong enough to transcend the musical’s inherent weaknesses. For context, I suspect a perfect production of the show wouldn’t score higher than 4 stars. In giving 3 stars to the Edinburgh University Footlights rendition of 9 to 5 the musical, I come to praise, not to bury.

Featured Image: Full Cast of Edinburgh Footlight’s 9 to 5 the Musical – All Photography Andrew Morris