Karen Koren: Jackie’s a 9 to 5 kinda gal these days

I was at the opening night of Dolly Parton’s 9 to 5 this week, and I really enjoyed it.

It became even more enjoyable for me when I discovered that Jackie Clune was playing the Lily Tomlin role in the musical. As I was having a pre-theatre supper in Giuliano’s with co-workers Lindsay, Rosie and Jen, and in walks Jackie, who I haven’t seen for a good number of years. In fact, not since she was touring with Mamma Mia. She played the Meryl Streep part in that and did so brilliantly.

It was so good to see her and we’re going to catch up properly over lunch this week.

Jackie is a lovely girl who performed at the Fringe for many years before going on to have a beautiful daughter followed, in quick succession, by triplets. In order to look after her expanding family she started performing in musical theatre.

We got to know each other well when she was touring with Puppetry of the Penis in Australia, not that either of us were interested in that particular show, but it did run at the Gilded Balloon for more than five years, if I remember correctly.

In 9 To 5, Jackie plays the main character Violet. The show is based on the popular movie of the late 70s, which I remember well. It’s all about three disgruntled women employees who kidnap their boss and hold him hostage.

In this version, Bonnie Langford plays a lovesick Roz, though I didn’t recognise her at first. Boy can that girl dance. It’s a great show, though I think Dolly Parton explaining things on a big screen clock was unnecessary - especially the line about the Clapper at the end, which left the audience bemused. Go see it, you’ll discover what I mean.