Country music legend and all round icon Dolly Parton opens the show as she introduces the characters and tells their stories from the ‘O’ slap bang in the middle of the stage.
Dolly’s story of women empowerment comes to life in a musical full of songs penned by the country star and they are belted out in some of the most glorious performances we have been treated to this year.
Eternal singer Louise Redknapp, Julia J Nagle, Stephanie Chandos and Vivian Panka lead the all-star cast in a story about how gender equality is paramount to productivity in the work place.
Violet Newstead, played by Louise Redknapp is constantly over looked for promotion by her sexist boss, Franklin Hart JR- played by Sean Needham.
Judy, has been abandoned by her cheating husband Dick, and Doralee is the country girl secretary who everyone thinks is sleeping with the boss.
The raucous show really gets going with a hilarious rendition of Here for You by Needham.
His outstanding performance displaying his lust for the buxom Doralee, had just enough letch, risqué and crass and was portrayed perfectly as the egotistical misogynist. Over the two acts- Needham constantly showed his worth, especially in his partnership with Julia, playing the role of his besotted secretary.
The two-some in Heart to Hart was a highlight of the night.
The full cast ensembles were effortlessly led by the three playing Violet, Judy and Doralee and the chemistry between them was evident. Together singing ‘Change It’ about how the workplace should be changed to offer equality was on point.
The stand out performance of the night though, came from Vivian Panka with her solo song Get our and Stay out. A goosebump on the arms powerhouse rendition, it was as if she was singing directly into the soul of anyone who had ever had the courage to leave a partner and to believe in themselves. Beyond brilliant.
The audience were mesmerised and she gained, most deservedly, the loudest applause of the evening.
9 to 5 plays at the Bristol Hippodrome until October 16 – get your tickets here
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