Louise Redknapp has been forced to delay her debut in a starring role in the eagerly-awaited Savoy Theatre run of Dolly Parton’s 9 to 5 The Musical after the former pop star sustained injuries to her face and wrist in a fall.
In a statement released this week, the producers said: “Due to an injury this week, Louise Redknapp has had to temporarily withdraw from performing the role of Violet in 9 to 5 The Musical.
“The recovery time recommended means Louise is no longer able to properly rehearse the show in the remaining time left before opening. Together we have made the difficult decision to delay Louise’s start date in the show. We hope that Louise will start performances sometime towards the end of March/early April 2019. Everyone at 9 to 5 wishes Louise a speedy recovery and we look forward to welcoming her back”.
Presented by the Queen of Country, Parton, the new production is due to play a limited season at London’s Savoy Theatre from 28 January until 31 August 2019.
Redknapp, who previously starred in the UK tour of Cabaret, was due to star alongside Love Island’s Amber Davies, and West End star Natalie McQueen (Kinky Boots, Adelphi Theatre, Wicked, Apollo Victoria) as Violet, Judy and Doralee, the roles created on screen by Lily Tomlin, Jane Fonda and Parton.
The name of the actress who will step into the role of Violet while Redknapp is incapacitated will be announced shortly, and the producers have stated any ticket holders who wish to exchange their tickets for a performance when Redknapp has returned to the show should contact their point of sale.
Directed by Jeff Calhoun, the director of the 2010/2011 US tour, the show also features comedian turned West End leading man Conley (Hairspray, Shaftesbury Theatre, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, London Palladium) in the central character of Franklin Hart Jr, the chauvinistic boss originally played on screen by Dabney Coleman. Bonnie Langford (42nd Street) is also due to return to the role of Roz Keith, the office assistant with an eavesdropping habit, a role she played during the UK tour of the show in 2012.
Based on the much-loved 1980s movie, the lively musical comedy features music and lyrics by Parton, and a book by Patricia Resnick, based on the screenplay by Resnick, and the director of the original film Colin Higgins.
A comic battle of the sexes involving three female office workers who get the better of their sexist, egotistical boss, the musical attracted 15 Drama Desk Award nominations and four Tony Award nominations when it ran on Broadway in 2009 with a cast that featured Allison Janney, Stephanie J. Block, Megan Hilty and Marc Kudisch.
Calhoun heads a creative team that includes: choreographer Lisa Stevens, set and costume designer Tom Rogers and lighting designer Howard Hudson, with musical supervision, arrangements and orchestrations by Mark Crossland, musical direction by Andrew Hilton and casting by Victoria Roe.
The show previously debuted in the UK with a national tour beginning in 2012 and had its London Fringe premiere in 2017 with a well-received production at Upstairs at the Gatehouse.
Angela Thomas
Tickets for 9 to 5 The Musical are available HERE
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