"9 To 5 - The Musical" by West Bridgford Operatic Society - WBOS.

The Space at Squire Performing Arts Centre, Nottingham

Based on the 1980 movie of the same name, with music and lyrics by Dolly Parton and the book by Patricia Resnick. It’s set in the late 1970’s and is a story of friendship and revenge and even a little romance thrown into the mix.

Three female office co-workers, Violet, Judy and Doralee concoct a plan to get even with their sexist, egotistical, hypocritical, lying bigot of a boss, Franklin Hart. While the boss is “busy”, the trio give their workplace a makeover and take control of the company that had always held them back.

I've seen this musical several times as both touring productions and at local level, and just love the whole "underdog makes good" storyline, especially when it is as presented as good as this cast does.

Doralee, the sexy Southern belle becomes the subject of many of the office rumours based purely on what Hart has said, is played by Sarah Shields. I was very impressed with her Southern accent as I was with all the cast's accents. I love the song "Backwoods Barbie", showing that the fun, blonde character also has a human side. A very apt role for a lovely bubbly, funny lady who even manages to sound like Dolly.

Doralee's supportive husband, Dwayne, is played by James Ellison

Violet, the office manager who, while Hart is in charge will never be CEO. Played by Samantha Thorne, we get a really powerful performance with vocals to match the performance. Love the scenes in the hospital where she lets her "in command" office image slip and we see Violet in panic mode. Classy all the way to the finale.

Violet's teenage son, Josh, is played by Chris Heeley. A textbook, moody teenager who provides Violet and her office buddies with a doobie-ous way to relax and let their hair down!

Judy is the newly divorced one who becomes an office worker for the first time. Judy is played by Natalie Hemington. When she sung "Get Out And Stay Out", she showed off that emotional and power packed set of vocal chords she has. A lovely comedy performance as well which also showed the character getting stronger and more self empowered all the way to the end. This is also shown by the gradual change in her clothes as they become bolder throughout.

Playing the sexist, egotistical, hypocritical, lying bigot of a boss, Franklin Hart Jr. is a brave man indeed, Bara Erhayiem. The things those women do to him doesn't come cheap in specialist magazines (so I'm led to believe). "Here For You" is delivered with such an overly sexist tone, I'm surprised that he isn't on some register, Hart not Bara that is.

A wonderful performance which I imagine is a great part for any male actor to get his teeth into, as long as you have a strong pain threshold. I got a feeling that on Wednesday night, Bara enlisted his own female fan club to attend, who did so complete with false moustaches. Great fun!

Missy, Hart's long suffering and ignorant wife to her husband's philandering ways, is played by Gemma Walton.

Roz Keith, Hart's smitten secretary, is a wonderful role and played by Joanne Hooper. Roz will do anything her boss asks and has just a bit of a crush on him. There is a part in Act One where she reveals her true self in the song "Heart To Hart", and when I say reveals............ Anyway, Jo is a perfect choice for the role and delivers with a big dollop of sauce; and I love ze French accent aussi.

Gareth Morris plays Dick, Judy's ex-husband. Nice accent but Dick realises what he has lost in Judy and becomes the target of Judy's power ballad.

The other main male role is Joe, who has a bit of a crush on the older Violet. Played by Matthew Charlton in his debut for WBOS. Matt also gets to show off his fine singing voice in the duet with Samantha Thorne of "Let Love Grow".

Matt also featured among the main male dancers scene at the start of Act two with Violet in"One Of the Boys". The dancers really threw themselves into the choreography and looked like they were having the time of their lives. Also a tribute to the wonderful choreography of Emily Rebecca Owen. With so many strong female roles in this play, they held their own.

I love the role of Margaret, the office lush, played by Diana Ives. Diana plays the role with a really natural tipsy feel; she's obviously watched quite a few drunks to play this role. Who said method acting was a thing of the past? Great character played with flair, and watch out for the final Kathy!!

A full supporting ensemble who complement perfectly.

Directed by Emily Rebecca Owen who, as previously credited, also takes care of the choreography and makes her directorial debut with this show. Pacy and punchy and the stage crew moved and removed the scenery and props effortlessly making for smooth set changes.

The Sound Design is by Rob Kettridge. As with the direction, pacy and punchy and crystal clear, everything that I had come to expect from Rob.

Lighting is by The Squire Performing Arts Centre, Nottingham.

Adam Wright is Musical Director for this show. From the opening number to the closing notes of the finale, Adam and his eleven piece ensemble delivered the music of Dolly beautifully.

The timing in this show is something that has been worked on because the opening has a video of Dolly Parton introducing the main characters. The said characters delivered their lines around the recorded Dolly introductions immaculately.

I've been a fan of Dolly Parton's for decades now - and if you get the chance to see her live, take it, she's incredible. Her songs tell stories. "Backwards Barbie", "Get Out And Stay Out", "Heart To Hart", "Shine Like The Sun" and the iconic and fun title song are all delivered brilliantly by this wonderful cast.

"9 To 5 The Musical" by The West Bridgford Operatic Society - WBOS is at The Space in The Squire Performing Arts Centre, until Saturday 18 February, y'all!