WORKING from 9 til 5 on Monday was made just about bearable by the evening’s all-singing, all-dancing and downright hilarious new musical at the Bristol Hippodrome.

There were plenty of excitable Dolly Parton fans in the audience for opening night of the original country superstar’s new show, 9 to 5 The Musical, which tells the story of a trio of put-upon female officer workers who have had enough of their male chauvinist boss Franklyn J Hart (Mark Moraghan).

Based on the 1980 film starring Dolly herself, this comedy musical of capers, kidnapping, love and independence would not have been complete without an introduction from the blonde, big-bosomed Queen of Nashville.

There were whoops and hollers to be heard as soon as Dolly appeared on a special screen to introduce us to our three heroine secretaries, the ambitious and wise Violet (Jackie Clune), jilted wife Judy (Natalie Casey) and country stunner Doralee (Amy Lennox).

Although a wonderful addition, this audacious cast of well-known television and stage stars had the audience in the palm of their hands without any help from the show’s musical namesake.

Clune was endearing as the elder of our three feminist idols and her love scene with junior accountant Joe (Mark Willshire) was a joy to watch and their rendition of Dolly’s beautiful Let Love Grow was followed by a united aaaww audible throughout the auditorium.

With the best voice on stage, Lennox lived up to the challenge of playing Dolly Parton’s part in the film version. Astounding vocals, a faultless deep country accent and sweetness and sass Dolly would no doubt be proud of, she made Doralee a real hit with the men and women in the audience.

Casey, best known as original Hollyoaks cast member Carol and Donna in Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps, showed just what a comedy actress she really is with a remarkably funny performance which she made her own with her dry delivery and looks to the audience. But her moment to shine came late in the second half when, after years of giving her life to her philandering husband, her character sees the light and Casey gave a rather unexpected, show-stealing performance of Get Out and Stay Out.

Heart to Hart, written along with all but two of the songs especially for the musical score, will probably go down as the most memorial of the night though. Screen and stage star Bonnie Langford is almost unrecognisable as devoted office worker Roz, so in love with her boss she can barely think of anything else. As with all things Bonnie Langford does, she puts her heart and soul into this one of only two songs she sings in the show, and as she strips to suspenders and stockings it’s clear to see she is giving it everything.

Moraghan as the dastardly, intolerant sexist completes a brilliant cast. And with countless costume changes, hilarious hospital capers involving a stolen body in the boot, songs you have never heard before but go away humming, 9 to 5 The Musical will turn you into a Dolly Parton fan faster than you can say Backwards Barbie.

9 to 5 is on at the Bristol Hippodrome until Saturday, March 23.