Theatre News

Cast: Bonnie Langford clocks in for 9 to 5: the Musical

Casting has been announced for Dolly Parton‘s musical 9 to 5, which opens at the Manchester Opera House on 16 October. Bonnie Langford will play office manager Roz in the adaptation of the hit 1980 film.

Joining her will be Jackie Clune as Violet, Natalie Casey as Judy and Amy Lennox as Doralee (the part Parton played in the film). Ben Richards plays the women’s boss, Franklin.

Langford has just finished playing The Lady of the Lake in the national tour of Monty Python’s Spamalot. She was in the original cast of Cats and has played the character of Roxie Hart in Chicago in the West End and on Broadway. She appeared in series five of the ITV show Dancing on Ice.

Casey is currently appearing in Abigail’s Party in the West End. Best known for long-running roles in Hollyoaks and Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps, she recently finished playing Paulette Buonufonté in Legally Blonde the Musical.

Lennox also appeared in Legally Blonde, understudying Sheridan Smith and playing the role of Margot. Her theatre roles include Wendy in Peter Pan the Musical at the West Yorkshire Playhouse and Liesl in The Sound of Music in the West End.

Comedian and actor Clune starred in the international tour of Mamma Mia! and played dance teacher Mrs Wilkinson in Billy Elliot the Musical in the West End. In 2011 she appeared in The Belle’s Strategem at the Southwark Playhouse.

9 to 5: the Musical,
which opened on Broadway in 2009, is making its UK premiere this
autumn. A national tour begins at the Manchester Opera House on 12
October. Performances up to 5 January 2013 are already on sale, with
further dates to be announced. Jeff Calhoun directs.

– by Jo Caird