Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10

Cast: Jackie Clune, Amy Lennox, Natalie Casey, Ben Richards, Anita Louise Combe, Mark Willshire, Marlon Moore, Tom Andrew Hargreaves, Philip Bertioli, Lori Haley Fox, Gemma Maclean, Lisa Bridge, Andrew Waldron, Lauren Stroud.

It seems strange that after 30 years, some of the issues raised in 9 To 5 have yet to be tackled head on and the change in attitude promised by so many has yet to actually come to fruition. However, quite rightly, the musical has become a national favourite, with audiences joining in the fun in a similar way to when The Rocky Horror Show or The Sound of Music is in town and dressing up as their favourite characters from this amazing production.

This is the mark surely of a production that has it all, great songs in which the toes never stop tapping and people wandering around during the interval are caught humming bars from the musical’s lead number and topped off with Dolly Parton on screen introducing the story, what else can an audience ever ask for to have one of the best nights out available?

The Empire Theatre in Liverpool hosts these big productions with natural aplomb and by taking on one of the best new musicals that is brimming with positivity and a message so large you could hang an errant boss from; the audience were treated to a real gem of a show. Each performance was eye catching, the music striking the right chord all night, the superb choreography and the sheer delight of watching the women joining forces and finding their mighty voices was exquisite.

This was a production though in which the women on stage reigned supreme, joyously revelling in taking the male lead, the very superb Ben Richards, down and striking a direct blow for feminism in the late 1970s and early 80s and in which in today’s world could do with happening again.

With the outstanding Jackie Clune, the sassy Amy Lennox and the woman who can make a stone wall laugh, Natalie Casey, in the cast there really is no doubt that 9 To 5 is a creation that stands on its high heels, grabs the laurels of equality and makes the world just a nicer place to live in for a while. Natalie Casey certainly grabbed the crowd’s funny bone all night and her portrayal as the recently divorced Judy Bernley was sparkling.

9 To 5, what a way to make an audience laugh and fall in love with an outstanding musical.

Ian D. Hall