Dolly Parton musical set to hit Rotherham stage

A Dolly Parton-inspired musical is set to be performed in Rotherham, where the late singer launched her trailblazing reading scheme nearly 20 years ago.

Drama group Wickersley Youngstars will stage 9 to 5 The Musical at the town's Civic Theatre later this month.

Based on the 1980 film and featuring a soundtrack written entirely by Parton, the show tells the empowering story of three women and their battle against their sexist, overbearing boss.

The country music legend, who died in August, visited Rotherham in 2007 to launch The Imagination Library, which provided free books to children across the UK.

Director Jonah Thompson said the decision to perform 9 to 5 had been made by the group long before the singer's death.

But with three of Parton's songs re-entering the UK's top 40 last month, and new generations learning about her music and legacy, the show is likely to find a receptive audience.

Thompson said: "It was obviously discussed when we looked at the show that there was that connection to Rotherham, but it was more just the fact of looking at how Dolly is well-known across the world.

"Whoever you speak to, whether they're a country and western fan, everybody seems to just like Dolly Parton. You never hear anybody have a bad word about her."

While older generations may know Parton for her string of hits, films and distinctive Tennessee accent, younger people may be more familiar with her charitable work promoting children's literacy and post-millennium TV appearances.

Bethan Carter, 22, is sharing the role of Doralee, who was played by Parton in the 1980 film.

She said: "I know Dolly from watching Hannah Montana on the Disney Channel, in which she was Aunt Dolly, with Miley Cyrus and Billy Ray Cyrus. The younger cast members know her from The Imagination Library.

"I remember having this collection of books that were all from Dolly Parton. And then years later, when I'm watching Hannah Montana I'm making that connection that I've got these books from 'Aunt Dolly'. I remember that being so special that it was from this woman off the telly."

Carter described the musical as a "real girl power sort of a show".

She added: "It's a really funny show. It's a comedy, but there's lots of emotional moments too.

"You see how these three women go from being a bit broken for different reasons to all coming out the other side and running the company together."

The show runs from 20 to 23 October.

Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.