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.
