Dolly back on 9 to 5 duty
FIRST NIGHT REVIEW
COUNTRY superstar Dolly Parton celebrated the launch of her new musical 9 To 5 in London last night with a star-studded celebration. The award-winning singer, who wrote the score to the show, posed alongside Australian star Kylie Minogue, 50, at the Savoy Theatre before curtain up. Model Twiggy, 69, who recently became a Dame, was also there, as well as TV hosts Gloria Hunniford, 78, and Angela Rippon, 74, and Strictly Come Dancing judge Bruno Tonioli, 63. Former Strictly star Louise Redknapp, 44, was due to star last night as one of the characters, Violet Newstead, but will not appear until March after a fall. Actor Caroline Sheen will fill the role until then.
Inspired
EastEnders star Bonnie Langford and comedian Brian Conley are also in the musical.
The show is based on the hit 1980 film, which starred Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin and Dolly as secretary Doralee Rhodes
– the part played by Natalie McQueen in the show. The story follows three workers fed up with their sexist boss.
Dolly, 77, said she hoped women would feel “empowered” by the show. She said: “I think it is as relevant now as it was before.
“In a way, with the new Me Too movement... I hope they [women] go away feeling like they have had a good time, feeling inspired by the music, and go away feeling empowered.”