Dolly Parton’s musical based on the popular film has officially opened at the Savoy Theatre. Here’s what critics have been saying about it…
London Theatre.co.uk: ★★★★ “Director Jeff Calhoun and choreographer Lisa Stevens keep the show bubbling with a sparkling, propulsive effervescence.”
Time Out: ★★★ “If her whole brand rests on the sincere heart beating under her fake rhinestone-studded costumes, ‘9 to 5’ is all about her often overlooked feminist edge. It’s a hairspray-induced hallucination whose message lingers.”
The Guardian: ★★★ “While the musical is a simplistic revenge fantasy, it is stylishly put across in Jeff Calhoun’s production.”
Exeunt Magazine: “Sheen, Davies, Langford and McQueen are the diamonds in the rhinestone world of this production. Quite simply, they are on another level to everything else on stage.”
The Stage: ★★★ “The show as a whole is fun, if gaudy and silly, but its feminist message, when compared to the film, is like costume jewellery next to a Faberge egg. It’s still very entertaining, and after all these years (almost 40 of them) it feels, depressingly, necessary.”
Broadway World: ★★ “These choices are indicative of a show that’s bright and feel-good, but just too broad for its subject matter: more tipsy office party than meaningful workplace drama. Brand Dolly may be about the heart and grit beneath the rhinestones, but this 9 to 5 is too often distracted by the sparkle.”
Evening Standard: ★★ “There’s not enough real firepower here or in Patricia Resnick’s script; Jeff Calhoun’s production chugs along on its monumental office set, but it’s increasingly hard to care whether poor Violet will ever stop being overlooked for an overdue promotion.”
London Theatre1: ★★★ “Roz Keith (Bonnie Langford, reprising the role from a previous UK tour in 2012-13) impresses with incredible dancing skills. The set and costumes (Tom Rogers) are spot on, and the videos (Nina Dunn) are all easy on the eyes.”
The Times: ★★★ “Jeff Calhoun’s West End production rarely takes you by surprise, but it never really lets you down either.”
West End Wilma: ★★★★ “9 to 5 is a fun night out if you are looking for something a bit silly but still very enjoyable. It is certainly a show for Parton fans as well as those who just want a bit of dazzle in a show.”
9 to 5 continues to play at the Savoy Theatre.
