AYR Amateur Opera Company have launched their 95th show this week, Dolly Parton's 9-5, which will run at the Gaiety Theatre.

Ciara Brady who plays Judy, Martin Christie the director and Ellen Fitzsimmons AAOC President for the 2016-2017 met up with the Ayr Advertiser Series to talk about their production and why it's not to be missed.

Set in 1997 the Tony Award winning show has been a big hit on Broadway, the West End and the UK tour with Dolly herself making a live contribution.

Ayr Advertiser:

Described as funny, raunchy, and a little bit rude 9-5 is a hilarious new musical comedy based on the hit movie centres on three office workers who turn the tables on their sexist boss. 

Outrageous, thought-provoking and even a little romantic, ‘9 to 5’ is about teaming up and taking care of business. 

With Ciara Brady playing Judy, Fiona Hogg as Violet, Joanna Gallagher as Doralee and Greg Philp taking on the rol of Franklin Heart Junior, 9-5 features original numbers from Dolly Parton’s Oscar, Tony® and Grammy Award nominated score including ‘Backwoods Barbie’, ‘Shine Like the Sun’ and the original hit song ‘9 to 5’.

Andrew Martin will play Joe and Helen Petrie is Roz. Jo-Ann Robinson is the production's choreographer, Stephen Bradley is their musical director and Lynne Bradley is the stage manager.

Ayr Advertiser:

Speaking about the production, Ellen said: "It is just exciting. When you are on stage just before the curtains open is when the excitement kicks in. 

"It gets better throughout the week and is just good fun. This is a musical comedy and when the audience laughs means the job has been well done.

"The show is about a serious matter and there are some brilliant one liners in it including 'the boss is an egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigot'.

"Three of his female workers kidnap him, tie him up and run the office their way."

The show runs from Monday, February 27 with a matinee and evening performance. Their last performance takes place on Saturday, March 4 but tickets are running out so be sure to grab the remaining ones now.

Martin Christie, the director, said: "The talented cast have worked really hard to produce a powerful statement which will blow your mind."

Ayr Advertiser:

Established in 1904 Ayr Amateur Opera Company (AAOC) rehearse two or three times a week at UWS. With over 40 members including cast and a production team, the group rehearse from September until show time in March.

Before they started producing musicals the company were opera enthusiasts performing shows from Gilbert and Sullivan.

The group's work has been so impressive over the years that Prince Edward visited in their centenary year in 2004 and spoke to them back stage.

They organise several fundraisers throughout the year which help to pay for costumes and performing rights. 13 members even tackled Tough Mudder last year at Drumlanrig Estate with the another team taking part this year.

Lynsey Kerr, who organises the fundraising committee, comes up with the ideas and helps bring them together.

AAOC will take a break over the summer and start rehearsals in August. They will hold auditions in August too and next year's show has already been decided. 

For more information visit their website on http://www.aaoc.org.uk/recent-news/ or facebook page https://www.facebook.com/aaocpublic/?hc_ref=SEARCH.