9 to 5 - The Musical (Cradley Heath Amateur Operatic Society)
Kidnapping your boss, tying him up in his pyjamas and blackmailing him due to his chauvinistic management style may not be a classic basis for a musical but, it definitely provides great entertainment value. Based on the 1980 movie of the same name and with music and lyrics by the Country Music Legend that is Dolly Parton it's a tale female triumph over male management domination back in the days when women were resigned to jobs as secretaries if they were even in the workplace at all and sexual harassment was probably far more commonplace than anybody would like to admit.
The three stars of the show are Michelle Cassells providing a commanding performance as single mother and secretarial lead Violet Newstead, Salli Gage challenging Miss Parton herself to be remembered in the role of Doralee Rhodes and Louise Hicklin delivering a triumph in understatement as the timid, jilted and almost mouse like Judy Bernly. All three ladies have well-crafted singing voices and as a trio derive just the right level of enjoyment for the position they find themselves in and the power they are ultimately able to exert over their boss.
Taking the role of that boss and eloquently making the journey from utter bigot through slightly scared prisoner to a man that has no option other than to change is Greg Yates, I would suspect by the interval pretty much very female in the audience dislikes him but, feels compelled to laugh along with the story and throughout the second act enjoys every second of his comeuppance.
Providing the vampish element as Rosalind Keith, along with an exquisite performance of the song 'Heart to Hart' were she reveals her rather strange love for Mr Hart Jr is Liz Compton, probably the individual highlight of the performance.
Tom Price provides a good supporting performance as Joe the man from accounts with designs on Violet, finally managing to convince her that the age gap can be traversed by love. Stella Guest is engagingly comic as lush, Margaret Pomerance and J.Paul Murdock sports probably the best moustache ever seen is a musical as Judy's philandering husband Dick who is told in no uncertain terms to 'Get Out and Stay Out'.
As with any production, particularly in the non-professional ranks there is much riding on the management team and there is exceptional direction by the highly experienced Steve Humpherson, professional musical direction from Simon Wilkinson and some outstanding choreography form Salli Gage (let's not underestimate the challenge in playing a lead role both on and off stage) and Donna Jones.
Having transferred from Brierley Hill Civic Hall to Stourbridge Town Hall this is a really warming, entertaining and accomplished show from CHAOS that sadly only runs until Saturday 18th November so there are a few chances to catch a viewing, make sure you don't miss the opportunity.
Book Here
The three stars of the show are Michelle Cassells providing a commanding performance as single mother and secretarial lead Violet Newstead, Salli Gage challenging Miss Parton herself to be remembered in the role of Doralee Rhodes and Louise Hicklin delivering a triumph in understatement as the timid, jilted and almost mouse like Judy Bernly. All three ladies have well-crafted singing voices and as a trio derive just the right level of enjoyment for the position they find themselves in and the power they are ultimately able to exert over their boss.
Taking the role of that boss and eloquently making the journey from utter bigot through slightly scared prisoner to a man that has no option other than to change is Greg Yates, I would suspect by the interval pretty much very female in the audience dislikes him but, feels compelled to laugh along with the story and throughout the second act enjoys every second of his comeuppance.
Providing the vampish element as Rosalind Keith, along with an exquisite performance of the song 'Heart to Hart' were she reveals her rather strange love for Mr Hart Jr is Liz Compton, probably the individual highlight of the performance.
Tom Price provides a good supporting performance as Joe the man from accounts with designs on Violet, finally managing to convince her that the age gap can be traversed by love. Stella Guest is engagingly comic as lush, Margaret Pomerance and J.Paul Murdock sports probably the best moustache ever seen is a musical as Judy's philandering husband Dick who is told in no uncertain terms to 'Get Out and Stay Out'.
As with any production, particularly in the non-professional ranks there is much riding on the management team and there is exceptional direction by the highly experienced Steve Humpherson, professional musical direction from Simon Wilkinson and some outstanding choreography form Salli Gage (let's not underestimate the challenge in playing a lead role both on and off stage) and Donna Jones.
Having transferred from Brierley Hill Civic Hall to Stourbridge Town Hall this is a really warming, entertaining and accomplished show from CHAOS that sadly only runs until Saturday 18th November so there are a few chances to catch a viewing, make sure you don't miss the opportunity.
Book Here
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