Did 9 to 5 Stand up to the Critics?

Now playing at the Savoy Theatre.

Dolly Parton's no-holds-barred musical adaptation of her 80s classic film as opened at the Savoy theatre amid a flurry of anticipation. But did the feminist glitter-storm stand up to the critics?

Time Out praised the performances from 9 to 5's star-studded cast saying that Natalie McQueen gave a "memorable performance" as Doralee and that stage favourite Bonnie Langford was "fantastically game". Time Out rounded up their three-star review with "If Parton's whole brand rests on the sincere heart beating under her fake rhinestone-studded costumes, '9 to 5' is all about her ofter-overlooked feminist edge - it's a hairspray-induced hallucination who message lingers."

The Guardian said that the piece was "a piece of slick commercial packaging, but it still argues that equal pay, flexible hours and in-house daycare are not only vital targets but also make for better business". They continued with, "While the musical is a simplistic revenge fantasy, it is stylishly put across in Jedd Calhoun's production. Caroline Shee...sings and dances with great verve and she is well supported by Natalie McQueen...Amber Davies... and Bonnie Langford...Given that unenviable task of playing the lecherous chief exec, Brian Conley invests the character with the right tongue-in-cheek excess".

The Telegraph praised Bonnie Langford for her rebel-rousing performance saying "'Employee of the Month' award, however, should go to Bonnie Langford as the office toady Roz. Her ludicrous devotion to 'the Man' reaches its zenith in a madcap dream-sequence number that finds her hanging upside-down off Conley in stockings and a corset. What a trouper!".

What is 9 to 5 about?

The tremendous tale of three women, glamorous Doralee Rhodes, newbie Judy Bernly and frustrated Violet Newstead, who work together in a man's world ruled by the insidious Franklin Hart Jr. Fed up of being overlooked and bullied and hit on by this sexist, chauvinistic, egotistical nightmare of a boss, these three very different characters get together to hatch an empowering plan to get revenge, with fiendishly hilarious consequences, forming a strong bond, despite their differences.

9 to 5 is now playing at the Savoy Theatre through to August 31.