9 to 5

A fun, feel good musical.

Based on the 1980 movie of the same name the story follows three women, Violet (Jackie Clune), a ballsy widow who is after that 'fat promotion', Judy (Natalie Casey), the new girl and Doralee (Amy Lennox), a girl with big hair and a big heart. They all work in the same office under the employ of their chauvinistic boss Mr. Hart along with a fantastic ensemble, the most memorable being the office drunk, Margaret, played by Lori Hayley Fox who gets a laugh out of the audience each time she's on stage.

Bonnie Langford is fantastic as Roz, the secretary harbouring a crush on Hart, and it's a shame that she's so underused. The three leading ladies each bring a certain charm to their characters that will endear you to them enough so you care about what happens to them.

With music and lyrics by Dolly Parton this musical is nothing groundbreaking but it will provide you with a good night out and an excuse for a good old sing a long at the end.

The Ladykillers

One of the classic Ealing comedies, The Ladykillers has now made it's way to the stage in Gary Linear's new adaptation.
There is always a suspicion surrounding any classic piece of work that is going to be brought to the stage, but time and time again it's been proven that it does work. These are not remakes but retellings of classic stories that give us the chance to see them in a new light and introduce them to new people. You know what's coming, but you will still watch with bated breath as each of the players meet their end.

It is more of a farce than the movie, but it doesn't have to try too hard and the laughs come in droves. Michele Dotrice (Some Mother's Do 'Ave 'Em') leads the show as the sweet and determined Mrs. Wilbeforce, with the thieves posing as a string quartet practising in her spare room each bringing their own, unique, vibrant personalities to the stage. Paul Brown heads the troupe with an assertive yet understated performance as mastermind Professor Marcus, with William Troughton being a stand out as Harry Robinson, darting round the stage whilst his pill popping drives him to obsessive cleaning. Clive Mantle is not so secret transvestite Major Courtney, Chris McCalphy faux Cello player One-Round and Cliff Parisi looms in the background as Romanian mafia type Louis.

A character in itself is Michael Taylor's set. A beautifully quaint house interior, suffering subsidence and close proximity to the railway. When I first saw it I couldn't help but wonder how exterior scenes were going to work, so was delighted when we were treated to a car chase and even a glimpse inside the railway tunnel. A perfect example of the magic and frivolity one expects at the theatre.

And with its continued success it has just been announced that another West End run is in store. The Ladykillers will be at the Vaudeville theatre from June 2013.