Some theatre shows leave you humming a tune. Then there are those where you leave with a smile on your face, an enormous amount of energy still running through you and the feeling that you have just experienced a thoroughly good night out.
Highly recommended.★★★★★ 5/5
9 to 5 The Musical, currently touring the UK, most certainly falls into the latter category.
I had the pleasure of attending last night’s performance at White Rock Theatre in Hastings, alongside Viktoria Cowley, as VIP guests. From the moment the opening number burst onto the stage, it was clear that we were in for an energetic and hugely entertaining evening.
Based on the 1980 film and featuring the music and lyrics of the legendary Dolly Parton, 9 to 5 follows three women, Violet, Judy and Doralee who find themselves pushed to breaking point by their sexist and increasingly unbearable boss, Franklin Hart Jr.
What makes this production work so well is that it never forgets that, underneath all the outrageous comedy, colourful costumes and larger-than-life characters, there is a serious message about equality, workplace discrimination and women refusing to accept being treated as second-class citizens. Yet, this is far from a heavy-handed lesson in feminism.
Instead, the message comes wrapped in an infectious package of comedy, superb choreography, catchy songs and wonderfully over-the-top moments. That balance is something several critics have highlighted during the current tour, with Theatre and Tonic describing the production as delivering its message through “infectious humour” and What’s On Stage praising the show’s energy, slick choreography and the impressive chemistry between its three leading women.
The central trio are undoubtedly the heart of the show.
Jade Marvin, Kayla Carter and Karla Tracey bring three very different personalities to Violet, Judy and Doralee, but together they make a hugely likeable team.
Their chemistry is infectious, while the vocal performances give the musical the lift it needs. Tracey particularly captures the spirit of the Dolly Parton connection beautifully, while Carter brings excellent comic timing to Judy’s transformation from vulnerable newcomer to a much more confident woman.
Marvin’s Violet is equally compelling as an ambitious woman determined to break through the glass ceiling, then there is Tim Rogers as Franklin Hart Jr, a character you’re absolutely supposed to dislike, but who provides plenty of the show’s biggest laughs. The music, of course, is another huge attraction.
Dolly Parton’s title song “9 to 5” remains one of those songs that seems incapable of getting old, and hearing it performed live, surrounded by a full company, is an absolute joy.
The show also manages to make its wider soundtrack feel like much more than a collection of songs. There are moments of genuine warmth and emotion alongside the comedy, ensuring that the characters actually matter to us.
That is perhaps why a story first created more than 40 years ago still manages to land today. Previous productions and reviews have repeatedly pointed out just how relevant the central themes remain, particularly around workplace equality and sexism. Beyond the Curtain recently described the current production as ‘fun and uplifting’, while Southern Arts Reviews praised its frenetic pace and the cast performing their way through an exceptionally energetic production.
A professional response when things don’t quite go to plan
Live theatre is, of course, live, and occasionally, something technical doesn’t go exactly as intended.
There was a very minor technical fault during our performance, but rather than allowing it to disrupt the evening, the team handled it with complete professionalism. It was dealt with calmly and efficiently, and the production quickly got back into its stride.
For me, moments like this can actually demonstrate the quality of a theatre company. Perfection isn’t necessarily about nothing ever going wrong; it’s about how professionals respond when something does, and on that front, the team deserve credit.
White Rock Theatre
The White Rock Theatre itself provided a great setting for the evening. Situated on Hastings seafront, it is a venue with plenty of character and is a particularly enjoyable place to experience a touring musical. The theatre is currently hosting 9 to 5 from 8–12 September, with the production’s Hastings run forming part of its extended 2026 tour. There is also something rather fitting about seeing a show all about women finding their voice in a venue that brings such a broad range of live entertainment to the local community.
Verdict
9 to 5 The Musical is exactly what a musical should be – fun, energetic, funny, colourful and uplifting, while still giving its audience something meaningful to think about. It is campy without being empty, nostalgic without feeling completely stuck in the past, and packed with enough laughs and musical numbers to keep the energy flowing throughout. For fans of Dolly Parton, it is an obvious choice. For fans of musical theatre, it’s an easy recommendation. Even if you’re simply looking for a great night out, this production delivers.
The tiny technical hiccup certainly didn’t diminish our evening, if anything, the professional way it was handled only added to my appreciation of the team behind the production.
A thoroughly entertaining night at the theatre, a fantastic cast, plenty of laughs and a message that remains surprisingly relevant.
