Why Natalie Casey loves her 9 to 5

It might allegedly be a man's world but this musical is certainly out to prove otherwise.

Direct from Broadway, 9 to 5: The Musical was written by Dolly Parton herself and boasts a stellar cast of stage greats, including Two Pints Of Lager And A Packet Of Crisps actress Natalie Casey who has also starred in Legally Blonde The Musical, The Wedding Singer and Fame in the West End.

Natalie, who also made up part of the original cast of Hollyoaks, is joined by Dancing On Ice star Bonnie Langford (Chicago, Spamalot, Cats), Ben Richards (Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Grease, The Bill), Jackie Clune (Billy Elliot, Mamma Mia!) and Amy Lennox (Legally Blonde the Musical, The Sound of Music).

9 to 5: The Musical is based on the hit movie and centres on three office workers who turn the tables on their sexist, egotistical, lying, bigot of a boss.

They conspire to take control of the company and learn there's nothing they can't do.

Billed as "outrageous, thought-provoking and even a little romantic" 9 to 5: The Musical is about teaming up and taking care of business.

Natalie says: "It's an epic feminist tale, where the characters who feel disadvantaged get their own back.

"What's great about this, is that it's rare that you have three, strong, female leads in a show. It's also very funny and heartfelt and Dolly Parton is involved, so overall, it's brilliant."

Natalie's character develops from a newly single, down-trodden lady to a strong independent woman.

As her husband has left her, she has to go out for work for the first time and ends up in an office where she meets her new friends Violet and Doralee and they decide to overthrow their evil boss," she said. "It's a great way of expressing women feeling empowered."

This show features Dolly Parton's original hit title song, 9 to 5 which won her an Oscar nomination and four Grammy Award nominations along with her new Tony and Grammy nominated score.

The 18 original numbers that mix Broadway and pop with Dolly's signature witty lyrics will have you kicking up your heels. Leave your daily grind behind and join in on the fun.

Dolly herself – the first lady of country music – is excited about the 9 to 5 tour.

It is her first ever stage musical and opened at the Edinburgh Playhouse some 32 years after Parton herself starred alongside Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda in the blockbuster movie on which it is based.

Dolly said: "The film had been out for more than 25 years when producer Bob Greenblatt decided it would make a great musical for Broadway.

As I'd written the 9 to 5 theme song, he approached me about writing the whole musical. I said, 'Why now? After so many years? I've never written a musical, I'd love to give it a try.' And I did.

"It took five years to get it ready to open on Broadway. It ran there for a while then it toured the United States and now it's in the UK."

* 9 to 5: The Musical opened at Birmingham's New Alexandra Theatre on Monday and runs until January 5. Visit the theatre's website www.atgtickets.com for tickets.