"9 To 5 The Musical" by Musicality - The Musical Theatre Society.

Nottingham Arts Theatre.

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.

Doralee Rhodes, the sexy Southern belle becomes the subject of many of the office rumours based purely on what Hart has said, is played by Liv Reid. I was well impressed with her Southern accent and is a great fun part. I loved her song "Backwoods Barbie", showing that the fun, blonde character also has a human side.

Violet Newstaed, the office manager who, while Hart is in charge will never be CEO. Played by Grace Fletcher Sorsby, and a really powerful performance. Grace has vocals to match the performance. One of the highlights, among so many in this production, is the big dance number that opens the second act where she shows that she is one of the boys, and what fabulous choreography. There's a lot of trust put into some of the men in this number; it also shows that a lot of practice has gone into this number alone, but boy was it worth it!

Judy Bernly is the newly divorced lady who is an office worker for the first time is played by Jenna Hancock. I'd almost forgotten just what a wonderful voice she has, and when she sung "Get Out And Stay Out", she showed off that emotional and power packed set of vocal chords she has. I might even go as far to say that Jenna's performance of this song is the best that I've heard on stage. A lovely comedy performance as well which also showed the character getting stronger and more self empowered all the way to the final.

Perfectly cast trio, highlighting their comedy, vocal, choreography and performance talents.

Isabel Holt also turns in a brilliant comedy performance as Hart's love smitten secretary, Roz Keith. And what a transformation in her big song "Heart To Hart".

Playing the sexist, egotistical, hypocritical, lying bigot of a boss, Hart is a brave man indeed, Dave Hass. The things those women do to him doesn't come cheap in specialist magazines (so I'm led to believe). His "Here For You" is delivered with such an overly sexist tone, I'm surprised that he isn't on some register, Hart not Dave that is. A wonderful performance which I imagine is such a great part for any male actor to get his teeth into, as long as you have a strong pain threshold. This will be David's final show with Musicality, but with a voice and talent for treading the boards, I hope that he quickly joins one of the local theatre groups, as they all are crying out for male actors with a talent like David has.

The other main male role is Joe, who has a bit of a crush on the older Violet. Played by Thomas Telford who also gets to show off, not only his fine singing voice in the duet with Grace of "Let Love Grow", Thomas also gets to showcase his dance moves in "One Of the Boys", one of the big and glittery dance numbers in this show. Their duet is a smooth blend of voices that shows some lovely harmonies. But is he Violet's knight in a blue suit and is it check-mate between the younger Office Exec and the Senior Office Manager? This is also Thomas' Musicality debut.

Drew Boswell is Dick Bernly, Judy's ex-husband who has taken up with bimbo Mindi - with an "I". It's when Dick follows her to Hart's apartment and discovers what he thinks is going on between Judy and Hart, that Judy delivers that big number "Get Out And Stay Out". I have seen Drew in several musicals over the years and know what a performer he is, and in this show, you also get to realise what very able dancer he is, even going into the splits at one stage. The years of watching Drew on local stages stands him in very good stead for this, his Musicality debut.

Adam Hazell is Josh Newstead, Violet's teenage son who wants her to start having fun again, and provides one way to make her relax! Adam makes his Musicality debut as Josh.

Benjamin George Canning plays Dwayne, Doralee's husband. A brilliant fun role which shows Ben's musical and comedy talents off well.

Will Cartlidge plays Tinsworthy, the Chairman of The Board at Consolidation who appears at the end to promote Hart, as well as finding out much more than he had expected. Will gives a brilliantly character-filled performance full of tongue in cheek appeal.

Hugh Cowles plays Bob Enright, who leap frogs Violet into promotion and is one of Hart's "golden boys".

Emily Hornsey makes her Musicality debut playing Maria, one of the young and fun secretaries at Consolidated.

Eliana Dickinson plays Margaret, the office lush, and the more you see her, the more tipsy she becomes. 

Sarah Prayle plays Kathy, the office gossip and secretary at Consolidated.

Scarlett Sheppy, in her first Musicality production, plays Dolly, the narrator of the piece. Some theatre groups hire in the video backdrop of the real Dolly Parton narrating, but that costs money, but Scarlett does a great job of playing Narrator Dolly.

Leah Hosten-Silva is Missy, Hart's wife who is completely unaware - maybe naive is a better word - of his office shenanigans. Another confident debut for Musicality.

The featured dancers and ensemble consist of Piper McElwee, Olivia Clark, Rosanna Beacock, Ella Gray, Imogen Thompson, Melanie Yates, Emilie Copping, Izzy Seager, 

Making his directing debut for Musicality is Rory Long, and he does a cracking job because this is a very pacy show, and he keeps the pace flowing really well. All of the stage scene and prop changes are also done smoothly and swiftly. It's very clear that his cast have taken all his direction to heart and have carried out his wishes to the "T". A really impressive directorial debut.

Choreographed by Annabella Woodruff. There's a lot of choreography in this show, and a lot of technical choreography with several styles and working with props - a note in the programme lends me to think that the chairography may have caused a few headaches - but if they did, this was in no way apparent on the night. 

The "fantasy" scenes with Judy, Doralee and Violet is a real choreographical highlight, as is the opening of Act two, plus the big ensemble numbers. As I said, this show is packed with some big dance routines, all highlighting the talents of a talented choreographer.

Musical Director is Sam Ashcroft, who conducts the twelve piece band. Assistant Musical Director is Abi Wilson, who is also on the drums. The sound of this band is tight and crisp and easily encompasses the various musical genres. 

What I'll also highlight is the gorgeous harmony work. At times, and especially when the three leading ladies sing, it almost sounds like the piece is multi tracked it's that good. Every person on that stage shows high competence in vocal ability and are one of the tightest vocal casts that I've heard. That, in no small way, is thanks to Sam and Abi for getting the absolute best out of the cast.

Sound design and operation and lighting design and operation is by the College Street Technical crew Evie Webster, Oliver Read, Rob Ketteridge and George Wilson.

Great costumes, hair and make up are the cherries on the top of this perfectly pink production, and are the responsibility of Tara Wynne-Edwards and Kirstin Hyland.

Nifty stage management by William Cox and Riley Halls- Backler and Stage Hands Hattie Miles and Rory Long.

Producer is Josie Fowler, who is also Deputy Stage Manager, and Assistant Producer is Lucy Maynard.       

Okay, so it's not the strongest of story lines for a musical, but who cares? Sometimes you need a bit of fluff with your cheese and this does the job perfectly. It's great fun and the songs are catchy, especially the title track, "9 To 5" and "Shine Like The Sun". And when the cast are having fun on stage, the audience can't help not to.

"9 To 5 The Musical" is at Nottingham Arts Theatre until Saturday 15 February. Don't be a Backward Barbie, make sure you grab yourself tickets for this fun filled show, because the cast and crew are here for you, ready to entertain.