REVIEW: 9 to 5 The Musical, Carnegie Theatre, Workington

Fancy being transported back to a time of office typewriters and rampant sexism in the workplace?

Okay, I can see that might not be the most appealing prospect but when it comes to Workington and District Amateur Musical Society’s production of Dolly Parton’s 9 to 5 The Musical, it’s well worth it.

The show opened at the Carnegie Theatre on Tuesday, starring Amanda Murry, Rebekah Jardine and Kim Fisher as leading ladies Violet, Doralee and Judy, and Daniel O’Hagan as Franklin Hart.

Set in an office where men rule the roost and women are expected dance to their tune, the show follows unlikely the three unlikely comrades as they plot to seek justice against their chauvinistic boss.

Things might not all go quite according to plan, and there’d be little fun if they did, but like all good comedy musicals everything turns out okay in the end.

Despite Amanda, Rebekah and Daniel each playing their first leading roles, the audience could have been forgiven for thinking they’d been in the society for years, as they slotted in seamlessly alongside amateur stage regular Kim.

Donna Bradley gave a brilliantly comical performance of Heart to Hart as Roz Keith, the overlooked office worker intent on bedding the boss, in her first society role.

Jack Pike was entertaining as lovelorn Joe the junior accountant and proved he can do meaningful love songs as well as he can play comic clumsiness.

Josh Pattison’s appearances as Violet’s son Josh may have been few but they were well acted.

This musical is definitely worth a trip into town once you clock off.

Just don’t go taking any ideas from the stage back to the office with you.

The show runs until Saturday, with performances at 7.15pm, and tickets are £12, with family tickets available. Call 01900 602122 to book.

SARAH MOORE