Category: Review

The Belgrade Theatre bursts into a riot of colour, sass, and Dolly‑powered defiance this week with 9 to 5 The Musical – a feel‑good, high‑energy production that proves just how timeless its message of solidarity really is.

Inspired by the much-loved 1980s film, 9 to 5 The Musical is a joyful story about friendship, courage and standing up for what’s right, all set to toe-tapping tunes by the late great country music legend Dolly Parton, which have you humming long after the curtain falls.

What begins as a bright, nostalgic trip into late‑70s office culture quickly becomes a sharply observed, irresistibly fun celebration of women rewriting the rules.

At the heart of the show are its three leading ladies – each delivering performances that are as charismatic as they are vocally impressive. Violet’s no‑nonsense pragmatism, Judy’s wide‑eyed vulnerability and Doralee’s whip‑smart charm form a dynamic that feels both familiar and freshly energised. Their chemistry is effortless, their comedic timing razor‑clean, and when their harmonies lock in, the auditorium lifts.

Doralee, in particular, is a standout: funny, fierce, and far more layered than the caricature her boss assumes she is. Judy’s transformation from timid newcomer to empowered woman is beautifully paced, while Violet’s leadership anchors the trio with warmth and bite.

No production of 9 to 5 works without a truly odious Franklin Hart Jr., and Coventry gets one with gusto. The performance is gloriously grotesque – equal parts swagger, sleaze, and slapstick. His scenes are played with such exaggerated bravado that the audience delights in every downfall he suffers. It’s cartoonish in the best possible way, a satire of toxic masculinity that still lands with contemporary relevance.

The Belgrade’s staging is slick, colourful, and cleverly modular, shifting from cubicles to living rooms to fantasy sequences with seamless ease. The choreography is punchy and playful, leaning into the show’s comedic heart while still delivering polished ensemble numbers.

The band, tucked neatly into the scenery of the show, keeps the pace driving forward with Dolly Parton’s unmistakable musical DNA. The title number is, unsurprisingly, a crowd‑pleaser, but it’s the quieter moments of character growth that give the production its emotional weight.

Despite its glitter, humour, and camp theatricality, 9 to 5 remains a story about workplace inequality, misogyny, and the power of collective action. The Belgrade’s production never loses sight of that. It balances the fun with a clear-eyed understanding of why this narrative continues to matter. The result is a show that feels both nostalgic and pointedly current.

9 to 5 The Musical at the Belgrade Theatre is a joyous, big-hearted triumph – very funny, empowering, and packed with standout performances. It’s a night of theatre that sends audiences out grinning, humming, and maybe feeling just a little more ready to take on the world.

A sparkling, feel-good hit with real bite and the timing feels right with the show playing the best possible tribute to the late Parton’s musical legacy.

It plays until Saturday, with matinees on Thursday and Saturday and tickets are available HERE.

Coombe Abbey has never been a venue that does things by halves. Its Sunday Lunch-Inspired Afternoon Tea is yet another example of the estate’s flair for theatrical dining and playful indulgence.

Served on Sundays (of course!) in the hotel’s light-flooded Garden Room, the experience feels special on this summer’s afternoon. It’s the kind of setting that encourages you to slow down, lean in, and savour.

But was this creative twist on two much-loved British traditions a quirk too far? No. It was a fun experience.

Where most afternoon teas begin with dainty sandwiches, on the day we were there, a serving board of delights was presented to us consisting of a miniature Yorkshire pudding filled with tender slices of roast beef and creamed horseradish sauce. They’re warm, crispy (just how I like them!) and unapologetically hearty – an affectionate nod indeed to the enjoyed Sunday ritual.

Alongside them, lemon and thyme roast chicken, maple glazed pigs in blankets, duck fat roast potato truffle, cauliflower cheese gratin, cheese scone, chicken and stuffing sandwiches and, some may say surprisingly, a mini fish and chips supper! It’s a line-up that feels generous, if not perhaps well-balanced, with each item echoing the flavours of classic English dishes without being completely true to the Sunday Lunch theme per se.

This didn’t worry me in the least as each culinary component was a real treat for the tastebuds – and, as someone whose always had more of a savoury tooth, this is my preference to the usual cakes and patisserie overload of your standard Afternoon Tea fare.

That said, of course, some sweetness is always welcome after Sunday Lunch – and a (as they should be but rarely are) very crumbly apple crumble and cube of sticky toffee pudding with butterscotch sauce satisfied our craving without feeling like overload.

Service is polished but personable, with staff leaning into the playful concept while maintaining the Abbey’s signature sense of occasion. Hot drink refills are prompt and bottomless, and I was particularly impressed with their extensive coffee blends menu – not just the tea stealing the show here!

All in all, Coombe Abbey’s Sunday Lunch-Inspired Afternoon Tea is a charming reinvention of two beloved traditions. It’s imaginative without being overly gimmicky, indulgent without being overwhelming, and firmly rooted firmly in the estate’s talent for storytelling through food.

There are several Afternoon Tea themes currently on offer at Coombe, including Abbot’s, Monk’s, Knight’s and even a version for the children! (What a great idea) But this one certainly wins in the ‘unique’ stakes.

And don’t go under the illusion that you’ll leave feeling less satisfied than after the standard Sunday Lunch. In fact, go hungry to get the best from it.

Sunday Lunch Inspired Afternoon Tea is served on Sundays in four sittings between 12.15pm and 3pm, priced at £45 per person, with pre-booking recommended due to high demand.

For more information or to book, visit HERE.