Shine like the Sun

Since we have started to get the nice warm weather back this seemed like a good title and a great way to link the weather with what I want talk about today: 9 to 5 the Musical.

This is one of the three musicals I have Musically Directed with Liverpool University Student Theatre (LUST), before then I didn't even know this show existed but I am so glad I was introduced to it.

The story starts at about 10:30 pm on a cool April night in 2017. We had just finished one of the show week tech rehearsals for Bare: A Pop Opera and the lovely Jonny Kain, one of the cast members and soon-to-be director for 9 to 5, came up to me and said 'I want to pitch 9 to 5 next semester, would you be my MD?' and that was the beginning of my love for this show.

Although we had a bumpy start of not having enough cast members, especially boys, and rehearsals being hard to run we eventually got into the swing of things and acquired enough boys to fill our cast.

One of my favourite things about the show, for me, was being able to have such a big band. I was told that it was one of the biggest bands that LUST had ever had and the first show to include a full percussion section, not just drums. These are two things I am very proud of. We ended up with a three piece woodwind section, four piece rhythm section, a dedicated percussionist and two trumpets alongside a keyboard part. It was the best band I have ever conducted. We all had fun, lots of inside jokes and the best band Ad Lib LUST has ever seen, even if I do say so myself! It is also the only show where we have had a picture of the band (sad times).

I am so proud to say I have worked on this show and It will always be a show I will cherish.

Over the last couple of months I have found life somewhat hard. Things in life just don't seem to be going my way and I'm having some trouble dealing with people. Although I have lots of people around me supporting me and trying to keep me upbeat sometimes I can't help but be sad. However, as I was walking round town a couple of weeks ago listening to my Musicals playlist on shuffle, like I'm sure everyone does, what should start playing but 'Shine Like the Sun' from 9 to 5. The closing song to the opening act. An absolute belter of a song. Although I must have listened to this song hundreds of times when I was rehearsing and doing the show, it was only then, in the middle of Liverpool Town centre, that I was really listening to the words and I really felt them. This little bit sung by violet really stuck with me:

'I've been down on my luck I've been shadowed with trouble and sorrow,

But i'm not giving up cause i know there is always tomorrow,

There are no guarantees, life is always a hit or a miss,

But i truly believe i won't always be feeling like this.'

I think it's really important to remember that tomorrow is a new day and no matter how rubbish your day has been tomorrow is a clean slate with new possibilities. A concept which I will admit I have struggled with over the past few months but this song has really helped me to start moving on.

The next song to play on the playlist was surprisingly another 9 to 5 song, 'I Just Might'. I loved this song during the time I did the show with LUST. It is one of the best trios for three women to sing. Such a powerful song, and the harmonies are to die for. I also love the way you can pull the tempo to give it more feeling. But again I never really listened properly to the words. Essentially, the song is all about overcoming your barriers and becoming the best version of yourself you can be, something which I really need to be doing right now and I'm trying really hard to.

It's funny how you can be so involved in a show and know most of the words but it's not until you go through something in your life that you really start to appreciate the words and the meaning of a song. Since this realisation these two songs have been playing non-stop in my head. I guess my brain is trying to keep me focused and positive.

Anyway, this show will always be special to me and since it has recently come to the West End I am DYING to see it! Hope you all had a fun chocolate filled Easter. Sorry for the lack of posts over the Easter period but I had four family birthdays and a lot of family gatherings to enjoy so I didn't have time do you an update but if you're wanting something to listen to 9 to 5 is where it's at!